A 23-year-old Nigerian student in the United States, Godson Oghenebrume, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison and will face deportation after serving his jail term for illegally possessing a firearm and discharging it during a dispute involving his former girlfriend and their infant child.
The conviction was announced by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana in a statement issued by U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall.
According to the statement, Oghenebrume was sentenced by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly Dick after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a non-immigrant visa holder.
The authorities also confirmed that he would be subject to removal proceedings upon completing his prison sentence.
Investigators said the incident occurred on February 7, 2025, when Oghenebrume, who was residing in the United States on an F-1 student visa, was found to have possessed a Glock Model 43X 9mm pistol.
According to prosecutors, his former girlfriend, who shares an infant child with him, visited his apartment and found him with another woman, leading to an argument that later escalated.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleged that Oghenebrume fired the weapon while arguing with the woman outside the apartment, despite the presence of their infant child.
The dispute reportedly continued after both parties returned to the apartment, with the woman allegedly discovering him with another female occupant.
Authorities said the confrontation spilled outside again, where Oghenebrume allegedly fired additional shots as his former girlfriend fled the scene. Investigators later found several bullet marks on the walls of the apartment complex.
Prosecutors further alleged that the Nigerian damaged his former girlfriend’s mobile phone and temporarily prevented her from leaving with their child.
According to the statement, the woman later sought help from the other female occupant, who successfully retrieved the baby from Oghenebrume.
Law enforcement officers from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office said the suspect attempted to evade arrest by ignoring repeated commands before throwing the firearm into nearby bushes.
He was subsequently apprehended, while the weapon was recovered by investigators.
Authorities added that a neighbour reported hearing the gunshots, saying the loud blasts left his ears ringing.
During interrogation after his arrest, Oghenebrume reportedly admitted firing the weapon, claiming he intended to frighten his former girlfriend into leaving the area.
The conviction comes days after U.S. immigration authorities deported another Nigerian national, Ayodeji Ajayi, following multiple criminal convictions, including domestic violence, as part of ongoing immigration enforcement efforts.
