A 23-year-old Nigerian student in the United States, Godson Oghenebrume, has been sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging the weapon during a domestic dispute involving his former girlfriend and their infant child.
The conviction was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office in a statement, which also disclosed that Oghenebrume would be deported after completing his prison sentence.
According to the statement, the Nigerian was sentenced by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly Dick after admitting to possessing a firearm while residing in the country on an F-1 student visa, an offence prohibited under U.S. immigration law.
Prosecutors said the incident occurred on February 7, 2025, when Oghenebrume’s former girlfriend, who shares an infant child with him, visited his apartment with the baby.
Authorities alleged that an argument broke out after the woman discovered him in the apartment with another woman. The disagreement reportedly escalated outside the residence, where Oghenebrume allegedly fired several shots while the child was present.
Investigators said the woman fled the scene as more gunshots were fired, adding that multiple bullet holes were later found in the walls of the apartment complex.
The prosecution further alleged that Oghenebrume damaged his former girlfriend’s mobile phone and initially prevented her from leaving with their child.
According to the authorities, another woman who was inside the apartment later assisted in retrieving the infant from him.
Law enforcement officials said Oghenebrume attempted to evade arrest when deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene.
He allegedly ignored repeated commands from officers and threw a Glock 43X 9mm pistol into nearby bushes before he was apprehended.
Investigators also obtained statements from a neighbour who reported hearing the gunfire and said the loud noise caused his ears to ring.
During questioning after his arrest, Oghenebrume reportedly admitted discharging the firearm, telling investigators that he intended to frighten his former girlfriend into leaving the area.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that, in addition to serving his 27-month prison term, Oghenebrume will be subject to removal proceedings and deportation from the United States upon the completion of his sentence.
