&w=64&q=75)
The United States government has announced a $25,000 (₦43 million) reward for information leading to the capture of Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, a Nigerian man wanted for allegedly murdering his son in Rhode Island.
Olawusi, 48, is facing charges of first-degree murder after allegedly causing severe bodily injuries to his three-month-old son in 2017.
According to a statement from Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Freeman, Olawusi has now been added to the U.S. Marshals Service's 15 Most Wanted fugitives list.
“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,” Freeman stated, confirming the bounty to incentivise information on his whereabouts.
READ ALSO: US authorities arrest Nigerian for $10m pandemic benefits fraud
The alleged incident occurred on April 3, 2017, when police and firefighters responded to a call and discovered the seriously injured infant.
The child, suffering extensive trauma to 18 parts of his body, was rushed to the hospital but could not survive.
Olawusi was arrested soon after and charged on two counts, including inflicting bodily harm on a child.
READ ALSO: Yomi Olayeye, 7 other Nigerians in US prisons for stealing COVID-19 relief funds
However, despite being arraigned on April 20, 2017, Olawusi managed to evade authorities after being released the same day, leading to his current fugitive status.
The U.S. Marshals are calling on anyone with information to come forward, with the significant reward reflecting the urgency of his apprehension.