‘Infant murder’: US declares Nigerian wanted

The United States Marshals Service has placed $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a Nigerian, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi.

This is contained in a statement issued by Supervisory Deputy, Don Freeman of the US Marshal District of Rhode Island and published on the service’s website on October 31.

According to the statement, 48-year-old Olawusi is wanted on charges of murder, inflicting serious bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

He has been added to the service’s 15 Most Wanted fugitives list.

Freeman said Olawusi was charged in Providence, Rhode Island with first-degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily injury to a child after Providence Police and Fire personnel found his 3-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 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 Oct. 31, 2017.”

Freeman disclosed that the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office requested the assistance of the US Marshals Service (USMS) to locate Olawusi in November 2017.

He added that subsequent investigation revealed that Olawusi had flown out of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on June 20, 2017, using his Nigerian passport.

He further disclosed that investigators believe Olawusi may be receiving assistance from family members in Nigeria and that he could be a danger to other children.

“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,” Freeman said.