Nigerian sprinter, Godson Brume, has pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm while in the United States on a non-immigrant visa.
Godson Brume, the fourth-fastest man in Nigeria’s history, now faces the prospect of a lengthy punishment that could include up to 15 years in prison, a fine of as much as $250,000, three years of supervised release and possible deportation after serving his sentence.
Details of the case, reported by Track and Field Gazette, show that the incident took place in February 2025 in Baton Rouge. At the time, Brume was in his apartment with another young woman when his former girlfriend, who is also the mother of his infant child, arrived with the baby.
An argument reportedly broke out outside the apartment. During the confrontation, Brume discharged a Glock 43X pistol while the child was present. The situation escalated moments later when the woman opened the apartment door and saw Brume with the other woman, sparking a second dispute that again moved outside.
Investigators say Brume fired the weapon several times as the mother of his child attempted to flee the scene. Officers later discovered multiple bullet impacts in the walls of the apartment complex, indicating how serious the incident had become.
Authorities further allege that Brume smashed the woman’s phone, took the child with him and threw the firearm into nearby shrubs before he was eventually detained by deputies.
The case represents a dramatic fall from grace for an athlete once celebrated for his speed and promise on the track. Brume has a personal best of 9.90 seconds in the 100 metres, a time that places him among Nigeria’s fastest sprinters of all time.
He claimed silver at the 2023 NCAA Championships and was part of the LSU 4x100m relay team that set an NCAA record of 37.90 seconds while winning the national title in the same year.
Brume’s Sentencing is expected at an as-yet-unannounced date.
