The United States has announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, a Nigerian national currently wanted in connection with the alleged murder of his child.
According to a statement from Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Freeman posted on the agency’s website, Olawusi is now among the 15 most wanted fugitives in the United States.
Freeman stated that Olawusi, who previously resided in Rhode Island, has been charged with first-degree murder for inflicting bodily harm on a child and with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
The charges stem from an incident on April 3, 2017, when police and firefighters responded to an emergency and discovered Olawusi’s three-month-old child with injuries to 18 different parts of his body. The child was taken to the hospital, where his severe injuries led to Olawusi’s arrest.
Although Olawusi was initially charged in court on April 20, 2017, he disappeared shortly after being released the same day.
Tragically, six months later, the infant succumbed to his injuries. This prompted authorities to add a murder charge as part of the ongoing case against Olawusi, who remains at large.
He said, “A man wanted in Rhode Island on charges of murder, inflicting serious bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution has been added to the U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted fugitives list with an up to $25,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest.
“Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, was charged in Providence with first-degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily injury to a child after Providence Police and Fire personnel found his three-month-old son bleeding from the mouth and nose at a residence on April 3, 2017.
“The child was transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated to regain a pulse. An examination at the hospital noted 18 injuries at various stages of healing, indicating a pattern of long-term abuse.
These injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, significant brain injury, and fractures of the child’s ribs, clavicle, legs and arms. He was placed on life support but died six months later.
“Providence police arrested and charged Olawusi on April 20, 2017, with first-degree child abuse. He was released the same day and subsequently fled. The murder charge was added following the infant’s death on October 31, 2017.”
The U.S. Supervisory Deputy Marshal reported that, after extensive efforts to locate Olawusi, authorities discovered he had left the country on June 20, 2017.
The Marshal emphasized that further investigation indicated he was receiving support from family members in Nigeria.
He added that Olawusi has been placed on the wanted list due to concerns he may pose a risk to children and the public, and that the U.S. would utilize all available resources to bring him to justice.
“Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child and has fled the country to avoid justice. We have placed Mr Olawusi on our 15 Most Wanted list due to the heinous crimes he’s committed and the threat he continues to pose to the public.
The USMS will exhaust all resources necessary to bring him to justice for his family and the community.
“Olawusi, who uses the alias Olekun Olawusi, stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds.
He has black hair and brown eyes. Information regarding his whereabouts may be reported to the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or via the USMS Tips App,” Freeman concluded. #Nigerian
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