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The United States has announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Nigerian national Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, who is reportedly on trial in connection with the alleged murder of his own child.
According to a statement attributed to Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Freeman and published on the agency’s website, The Eastern Updates has learned that Olawusi has been placed on the list of the 15 most wanted fugitives in the United States.
Freeman specified that Olawusi, who had been residing in Rhode Island, U.S., was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder related to child injury and unlawful evasion of legal proceedings.
He went on to explain that the event occurred on April 3, 2017. Police and firefighters responded, rescuing the three-month-old, who was taken to the hospital, where doctors discovered 18 separate injuries on the child’s body. This alarming finding ultimately led to Olawusi’s apprehension.
Upon his arrest, Olawusi was charged in court on April 20, 2017, but his whereabouts became unknown after he was released the same day while the trial was pending.
Freeman added that the infant died six months after being hospitalised as a result of the injuries he had allegedly sustained from his father’s abuse which prompted the prosecuting department to include a murder charge in the ongoing trial.
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.
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“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.
“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.
