The United States government has announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest of Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, a Nigerian fugitive wanted for charges of first-degree murder and child abuse.
Olawusi, who was living in Rhode Island, is among the U.S. Marshals Service’s 15 Most Wanted fugitives following his alleged involvement in the death of his three-month-old son.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Marshals, Olawusi is accused of inflicting severe bodily harm on his infant son, who was found in critical condition on April 3, 2017.
Police and firefighters discovered the child suffering from injuries to 18 different parts of his body. Despite being placed on life support, the infant tragically passed away after six months, on October 31, 2017, prompting authorities to escalate the charges against Olawusi to murder.
The statement, credited to Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Freeman, explains that Olawusi was initially arrested on April 20, 2017, and charged with first-degree child abuse. However, he was released pending trial.
After his release, Olawusi fled the United States and has been evading capture ever since. The murder charge was added following the child’s death in October 2017.
“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,” Freeman said in the statement.
The tragic incident began when emergency responders in Providence, Rhode Island, found the child bleeding from the mouth and nose and in cardiac arrest at a residence.
The child was resuscitated at the hospital, where doctors discovered a pattern of long-term abuse, including a skull fracture, brain injury, and multiple fractures to his ribs, legs, arms, and clavicle. Despite the medical efforts, the child died in October 2017, which led to the addition of the murder charge.
Freeman further warned that Olawusi remains a danger to children and the public, emphasizing the commitment of U.S. law enforcement 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,” Freeman said.
Authorities believe Olawusi fled the United States in June 2017, departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York using his Nigerian passport.
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Investigations indicate that he may be receiving assistance from family members in Nigeria.
The U.S. Marshals Service has described Olawusi, also known by the alias Olekun Olawusi, as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on Olawusi’s whereabouts to contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or submit tips through the USMS Tips App.
The U.S. Marshals Service reiterated their determination to bring Olawusi to justice, vowing to use all available resources to ensure he is held accountable for his actions.
Anyone with information on Olawusi’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals at the provided numbers or submit tips through the official app.
