Offers $25,000 Reward for Arrest of Nigerian Fugitive in Child Murder Case

On November 12, 2024, the United States government announced a significant reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest of a Nigerian fugitive, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi. He is currently facing trial for the alleged murder of his three-month-old son, an incident that has drawn considerable attention and concern.

According to a statement from Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, Don Freeman, Olawusi has been placed on the U.S. Marshals Service’s list of 15 most wanted fugitives. The case against him is particularly severe, as it includes charges of first-degree murder and inflicting serious bodily injury to a child. The events leading up to these charges date back to April 3, 2017, when police and fire personnel discovered the infant in critical condition at a residence in Rhode Island.

Emergency responders found the baby bleeding from the mouth and nose and immediately transported him to a local hospital, where he was resuscitated. A thorough medical examination revealed that the child had sustained injuries in 18 different areas of his body, illustrating a disturbing pattern of long-term abuse. These injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, and multiple broken bones, indicating severe physical trauma. Tragically, the child succumbed to his injuries six months later, prompting authorities to escalate the charges against Olawusi to murder.

Following his initial arrest on April 20, 2017, for child abuse, Olawusi was released the same day. However, he subsequently disappeared, evading law enforcement efforts to locate him. Investigators later discovered that he fled the United States on June 20, 2017, and further inquiries indicated that he was receiving assistance from family members in Nigeria.

Deputy Marshal Freeman expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “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.” He emphasized that the U.S. Marshals Service would utilize all available resources to ensure that Olawusi is brought to justice.

This case has not only highlighted the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of an innocent child but has also raised concerns about the potential danger posed by Olawusi to other children and members of the community. The U.S. government remains committed to pursuing justice in this heartbreaking case.