The United States of America has declared a Nigerian, identified as Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, wanted over a murder charge, News About Nigeria reports.
The government has also placed a $25,000 bounty on him, to be awarded to anyone who can provide information that could facilitate the arrest of Olawusi, who is reportedly facing trial for the alleged murder of his child.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, Don Freeman, on Monday.
The statement also revealed that Olawusi has been named among the 15 most wanted fugitives in the U.S.
Freeman noted that Olawusi, who lived in Rhode Island, U.S., was arraigned on two counts, including first-degree murder for inflicting bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
He added that the incident occurred on April 3, 2017, after police and firefighters found the three-month-old child and transported him to the hospital, where it was discovered that the child had suffered injuries in 18 parts of his body. This discovery led to Olawusi’s arrest.
The infant later died six months after being hospitalized due to the injuries he allegedly sustained from his father’s abuse, prompting the prosecution to include a murder charge in the ongoing trial.
However, Olawusi, who was charged in court on April 20, 2017, disappeared after being released the same day while the trial was pending.
The statement reads, “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 an up to $25,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest.
“Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, was charged in Providence with first-degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily injury to a child after Providence Police and Fire personnel found his three-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 to 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 on 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 on October 31, 2017.”
He further noted that the suspect has been placed on the wanted list because he could pose a danger to children and other members of the public, adding that the U.S. will deploy all its resources to ensure that he faces justice.
