The United States has announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Olalekan Olawusi, a Nigerian man facing charges in a high-profile murder case.
Mr Olawusi, previously living in Rhode Island, is accused of inflicting severe bodily injuries on his three-month-old child in April 2017 which reportedly led to the child’s death six months later.
He initially faced charges of first-degree assault but was released after a court appearance. However, after he fled and could not be located, authorities added murder and flight charges, and he is now listed among the US Marshals’ 15 most wanted fugitives.
Deputy US Marshal Don Freeman emphasised the seriousness of the case, highlighting that Olawusi’s capture is a priority due to the nature of the alleged crime and his status as a fugitive.
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 US supervisory deputy marshall noted that after frantic efforts to locate Olawusi, it was discovered that he had fled the country on June 20, 2017, while stressing that further investigation revealed that he was receiving assistance from family members in Nigeria.
He added that the suspect has been placed on the wanted list because he could pose a danger to children and other members of the public and the US would deploy all its resources to ensure that he faces 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,” Freeman said.