U.S. Offers $25,000 Reward for Nigerian Fugitive Wanted in 2017 Infant Murder Case

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 for allegedly murdering his infant son.

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

U.S. officials offer $25,000 bounty for Nigerian fugitive wanted since 2017 in infant son’s murder case. The child, found in cardiac arrest, was rushed to the hospital and required resuscitation. Medical examinations revealed 18 injuries at various stages of healing, indicating prolonged abuse.

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

Olawusi was initially arrested and charged with first-degree child abuse on April 20, 2017, and was released the same day. He later fled. Following the child’s death on October 31, 2017, the charge was upgraded to murder.

In November 2017, the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office sought assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in locating Olawusi. Investigations indicated that he departed the U.S. from John F. Kennedy International Airport on June 20, 2017, using his Nigerian passport.

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