US Offers $25,000 Reward for Nigerian Man Wanted Since 2017 for Infant Son’s Murder

The United States has announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a Nigerian man, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, who is wanted in connection with the alleged murder of his son.

According to a report on the U.S. Marshals Service’s website, 48-year-old Olawusi was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of causing serious bodily injury to a child after emergency responders in Providence found his 3-month-old son with severe injuries at a residence on April 3, 2017.

The child was rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest and needed resuscitation to regain a pulse. A medical examination revealed 18 injuries in different stages of healing, indicating prolonged abuse.

The injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, severe brain injury, and fractures to the ribs, clavicle, legs, and arms. Tragically, the child passed away six months later.

Police initially arrested and charged Olawusi with first-degree child abuse on April 20, 2017. However, he was released the same day and subsequently fled.

Following the child’s death on October 31, 2017, the charges against Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi were upgraded to murder.

In November 2017, the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office sought help from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to track down Olawusi. Investigations revealed that Olawusi had departed the United States via John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on June 20, 2017, using his Nigerian passport.

According to Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Freeman, Olawusi has since been added to the U.S. Marshals Service’s 15 Most Wanted fugitives list, with a reward of up to $25,000 offered for information leading to his arrest.

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.”

“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.