US hunts Nigerian for murder of infant son, offers N43.44m bounty

A Nigerian man, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, sought by Rhode Island authorities on charges of murder, serious bodily injury to a child, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, has been added to the U.S. Marshals Service’s “15 Most Wanted” list.

A reward of up to $25,000—about N43,436,500 in Nigerian currency—is available for information leading to his arrest.

The U.S. Marshals Service reported that Olawusi, 48, was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of causing serious bodily injury to a child after emergency personnel in Providence, Rhode Island, found his three-month-old son severely injured at a residence on April 3, 2017.

The child was taken to the hospital in cardiac arrest and needed resuscitation to regain a pulse. A medical examination uncovered 18 injuries at various stages of healing, suggesting prolonged abuse. These injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, severe brain injury, and fractures to the ribs, clavicle, legs, and arms. Despite life support, the child tragically died six months later.

Providence Police initially arrested and charged Olawusi with first-degree child abuse on April 20, 2017. However, he was released the same day and subsequently fled. Following the child’s death on October 31, 2017, the charge was escalated to murder.

In November 2017, Providence Police and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office sought assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to locate him. Investigations revealed that Olawusi left the U.S. from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on June 20, 2017, using his Nigerian passport.

Authorities believe he may be receiving support from relatives in Nigeria and have expressed concern that he could pose a danger to other children.

“Mr. Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child, and has fled the country to avoid justice,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis. “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 also goes by the alias Olekun Olawusi, is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs around 185 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about his location is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or via the USMS Tips App.

The “15 Most Wanted” fugitive programme, established in 1983, highlights some of the U.S.’s most dangerous fugitives. Individuals on this list typically have extensive criminal backgrounds and pose a significant threat to public safety. The program has led to the capture of over 250 fugitives.

The U.S. Marshals Service has a long-standing role in assisting law enforcement agencies in fugitive investigations. In partnership with federal, state, tribal, and local authorities, USMS-led task forces arrested over 73,000 fugitives and resolved nearly 86,000 warrants in FY 2023.