Nigerian athlete Godson Brume, one of the country’s fastest sprinters, has pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in the United States, a development that has shocked the athletics community in Nigeria and abroad.
Brume, who is the younger brother of Nigerian long jump star Ese Brume, admitted to the offence under US federal law, which prohibits non-immigrant visa holders from possessing firearms. The case has drawn attention because of his rising profile in international athletics and the serious nature of the incident that led to his arrest.
According to reports, the incident occurred in February 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Brume was based at the time. He was living in an apartment when his former girlfriend, who is also the mother of his infant child, arrived with the baby. What began as a domestic dispute later turned violent and resulted in gunshots being fired in a residential area.
Court documents and reports from law enforcement revealed that Brume was inside his apartment with another young woman when his ex-girlfriend arrived. An argument reportedly broke out outside the apartment, during which Brume discharged a Glock 43X pistol while the infant child was present.
After the initial confrontation, the woman reportedly opened the apartment door and saw Brume with another woman inside. This led to a second argument, which again moved outside the apartment building. During this confrontation, Brume allegedly fired the gun multiple times as the woman fled with fear for her safety.
Investigators later observed several bullet marks on the walls of the apartment complex, showing that the shots were fired in a place where other residents could have been harmed. The situation caused panic in the area and drew the attention of security agencies.
Reports further stated that Brume smashed his ex-girlfriend’s phone, took the child from her, and later threw the firearm into nearby bushes in an attempt to hide it. However, police officers arrived at the scene shortly after and took him into custody.
By pleading guilty to unlawful firearm possession, Brume now faces serious legal consequences under US law. He could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, fined as much as $250,000, and placed under supervised release for up to three years after serving any prison term.
In addition to these penalties, Brume may also face deportation from the United States. US immigration laws are strict on crimes involving firearms, especially when committed by foreign nationals on temporary visas. Legal experts say the case could end his stay in the US and affect his ability to travel internationally in the future.
The guilty plea means the court will now move to sentencing, where a judge will decide the final punishment based on the facts of the case, Brume’s plea, and other factors such as his criminal record, if any.
Godson Brume is known in athletics circles as one of Nigeria’s fastest sprinters. He is the fourth fastest Nigerian man of all time in the 100 metres, with a personal best of 9.90 seconds. His speed and consistency earned him recognition both in Nigeria and in the United States collegiate athletics system.
In 2023, Brume won a silver medal at the NCAA Championships, representing Louisiana State University (LSU). He was also part of the LSU men’s 4×100 metres relay team that set a new NCAA record of 37.90 seconds and won the national title in the same year.
These achievements placed him among the top young sprinters expected to represent Nigeria at major international competitions in the future. However, the current legal trouble now threatens to derail his career and damage his reputation.
Brume’s case has attracted even more attention because of his family connection to Ese Brume, Nigeria’s celebrated long jumper and Olympic medallist. Ese Brume has represented Nigeria at several global competitions and is widely respected for her discipline and professionalism.
While Ese Brume has not publicly commented on the matter, many Nigerians have expressed disappointment and concern on social media. Some fans have called for athletes representing the country to maintain high standards of behaviour, especially while abroad.
Others have used the incident to highlight the need for better guidance and support systems for young Nigerian athletes competing overseas, particularly on issues related to the law, personal conduct, and mental health.
The case has also reopened discussions about the responsibilities of Nigerian athletes living and competing outside the country. Many athletes travel abroad on student or temporary visas, which come with strict rules. Violating these rules, especially in serious cases involving violence or weapons, can have lasting consequences.
