The United States has placed a $25,000 bounty on a 48 year old Nigerian man named Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi.
The bounty is being offered to anyone who can provide information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect on trial for the murder of his infant son.
According to a report on the official US website, the sheriff’s department charged Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault of a child after paramedics found his three-month-old son severely injured in a Providence residence on April 3, 2017.
The boy was rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest and required resuscitation to get a pulse back. A medical examination at the hospital revealed 18 wounds in various stages of healing, indicating ongoing abuse.
The child’s injuries included a fractured skull, subdural hematoma, severe brain damage, and broken ribs, collarbone, legs, and arms. The child tragically died six months later.
Police initially arrested Olawusi on April 20, 2017, and charged him with first-degree child abuse. He was released the same day, but subsequently fled.
After the child’s death on October 31, 2017, the charge was upgraded to murder. In November 2017, Providence Police and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office asked the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) for assistance in the search for Olawusi.
The investigation revealed that Olawusi had left the U.S. on June 20, 2017, from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport using a Nigerian passport.
In a statement to the Acting U.S. Supervisory Secretary, Marshal Don Freeman, he said Olawusi is on the U.S. Navy’s list of 15 Most Wanted Fugitives. Marshals’ services and a reward of up to $25,000 are being offered for information leading to his arrest.
He said, “A man wanted in Rhode Island on charges of murder, aggravated assault on a child and unlawful flight of law enforcement has been added to the U.S. Navy’s list of 15 Most Wanted Fugitives.” Marshals’ services and a reward of up to $25,000 are being offered for information leading to his arrest.
“Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault on a child on April 3, 2017, after Providence police and fire officials found his 3-month-old son inside the residence, bleeding from his mouth and with his nostrils cut.
“The child was rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest and required resuscitation to restore a pulse. A hospital examination revealed 18 injuries in various stages of healing, suggesting a long-term pattern of abuse.
These injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, significant brain damage, and fractures to the child’s ribs, collarbone, legs and arms. He was placed on life support but died six months later.
“State police arrested and charged Olawusi with first-degree child abuse on April 20, 2017. He was released the same day, but later went on the run. Following the death of the toddler on October 31, 2017, a murder charge was added. ”
“Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child and has fled the country to avoid justice.
We have placed Mr. Olausi in the top 15 Most Wanted Criminals list due to the heinous crimes he committed and the threat he continues to pose to our citizens. The USMS intends to exhaust all resources necessary to bring him to justice on behalf of his family and the community.
“Olawusi, who uses the pen name Olekun Olausi, is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 84 kg. He has black hair and brown eyes.
Information regarding his whereabouts is available from the US Sheriff’s Office and can be reported at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or through the USSMS Tips app,” Freeman concluded.
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