A 23-year-old Nigerian student in the United States, Godson Oghenebrume, has been jailed 27 months for illegal firearm possession and discharging a gun during a dispute.
Oghenebrume pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm unlawfully and firing multiple shots during a confrontation involving his former girlfriend and their infant child. The incident led to his arrest and prosecution in the U.S.
The conviction was announced in a statement issued by Kurt Wall and obtained on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Oghenebrume was sentenced by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly Dick after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by “an alien admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also disclosed that the Nigerian student faces deportation after completing his prison term.
“He is also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completion of his sentence,” the statement noted.
Authorities stated that Oghenebrume admitted to possessing a Glock model 43X 9mm pistol on February 7, 2025, while residing in the United States on an F-1 student visa.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred after Oghenebrume’s former girlfriend, who is also the mother of his infant child, arrived at his apartment with the baby while he was allegedly inside with another woman.
“Oghenebrume, who had been in the apartment with another young woman, went outside, and an argument ensued between him and the mother of his child.
“During this argument, and while the baby was present, Oghenebrume discharged the firearm,” the statement said.
The authorities explained that the dispute continued after the woman entered the apartment and allegedly discovered him with another woman.
“That argument spilled out of the apartment, and Oghenebrume discharged the firearm more times as the mother of his child fled. Multiple bullet strikes were observed in the walls of the apartment complex,” prosecutors added.
Investigators further alleged that Oghenebrume smashed his former girlfriend’s mobile phone and took custody of the baby, who reportedly remained at the scene throughout the incident.
The statement also revealed that the Nigerian student attempted to evade arrest after deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office arrived at the apartment complex.
According to prosecutors, the woman later approached the other female occupant in the apartment and requested help in retrieving the child.
“She agreed to help and was able to get the child from Oghenebrume,” the statement said.
Authorities stated that Oghenebrume ignored repeated commands from deputies and attempted to walk away before allegedly discarding the firearm into nearby shrubs.
“When East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the apartment complex, Oghenebrume walked away from them, ignoring their commands, and discarded the Glock model 43X, 9mm pistol into some shrubs. Oghenebrume was detained soon thereafter,” the statement added.
Investigators also obtained statements from a neighbour who reportedly heard the gunfire and told authorities that the noise caused his ears to ring.
During a post-Miranda interview with detectives, Oghenebrume reportedly admitted firing the weapon.
“He claimed that he had wanted his ex-girlfriend to go home and that he had shot the gun to scare her away,” the prosecutors stated.
