His conviction marks a dramatic fall for an athlete once regarded as one of Nigeria's brightest sprint prospects, having risen rapidly through the ranks of Nigerian athletics before securing the opportunity to continue both his education and sporting career in the United States.
Godson Oghenebrume, a Nigerian sprinter and former Olympic hopeful, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison in the United States after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm while residing in the country on a student visa.
The 23-year-old athlete, who once clocked a personal best of 9.90 seconds in the 100 metres, won a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA silver medal), represented Nigeria in international competitions and earned an athletics scholarship to Louisiana State University (LSU), will also face removal or deportation proceedings after completing his prison sentence.
His conviction marks a dramatic fall for an athlete once regarded as one of Nigeria's brightest sprint prospects, having risen rapidly through the ranks of Nigerian athletics before securing the opportunity to continue both his education and sporting career in the United States.
Oghenebrume, who lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick following his conviction for possession of a firearm by an alien admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.
