US adds bounty on manhunt for Nigerian on trial

The United States has offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, a Nigerian wanted for the alleged murder of his child. Olawusi, who was living in Rhode Island, has been added to the U.S. Marshals’ list of 15 most wanted fugitives.

According to a statement from Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Freeman, Olawusi faces charges of first-degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily injury to a child, after his three-month-old son was found with severe injuries on April 3, 2017. The child, who had 18 separate injuries, including a skull fracture and brain damage, was initially revived at the hospital but tragically died six months later.

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Olawusi was arrested and charged with child abuse in April 2017 but was released the same day and later fled the country. After the child’s death in October 2017, the charge was upgraded to murder. Investigations revealed that Olawusi left the U.S. on June 20, 2017, and may have received help from family members in Nigeria.

Freeman emphasized that Olawusi, who also uses the alias Olekun Olawusi, remains a threat to public safety, particularly to children. The U.S. Marshals are committed to bringing him to justice and are urging anyone with information to report it to the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 or via the USMS Tips App. Olawusi is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing around 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.