From track to courtroom: Godson Brume admits firearm offence in US

Nigerian sprinter Godson Brume has pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm while in the United States on a non-immigrant visa, according to reports, Sport360NG reports.

The 100m runner, who is the fourth-fastest athlete in Nigeria’s history, now faces a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, three years of supervised release and possible deportation after completing any custodial term.

Reports indicate that the incident occurred in February 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Brume was said to have been inside his apartment with another woman when his former partner, the mother of his infant child, arrived at the residence with the baby. An argument reportedly broke out outside the apartment, during which Brume discharged a Glock 43X pistol while the child was present.

Shortly afterwards, the woman allegedly opened the apartment door and saw Brume with the other woman, leading to another confrontation that again moved outside the building. Authorities allege that Brume fired the weapon several times as the child’s mother attempted to leave the scene.

Investigators later reported finding multiple bullet marks in the walls of the apartment complex. Brume is also accused of damaging the woman’s phone, taking the child and discarding the firearm in nearby bushes before being apprehended by sheriff’s deputies.

Brume has a personal best of 9.90 seconds in the men’s 100 metres. He won a silver medal at the 2023 NCAA Championships and was part of Louisiana State University’s 4x100m relay team that set an NCAA record of 37.90 seconds on their way to winning the national title that same year.