![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-300x200.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) group operating under the aegis of North East Solidarity Network on Monday warned the presidential flag-bearer in the 2023 general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to be wary of traitors.
In a statement on Monday which was issued by the group’s President Abubakar Abubakar in Abuja, he pointed out that certain elements who disguise as supporters of the party may not be genuine, hence, Atiku should tread with caution to avoid last minute calamity.
The group advised the official candidate to properly check those who contested the presidential election with him and be wary of antics of some of them.
The group in the statement recalled that the governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Bala Mohammed contested the PDP Primary election with the party flag-bearer in May and scored 20 votes.
According to the statement, Bala Mohammed’s commitment to the Atiku presidency should be properly interrogated.
Recall that after Bala Mohammed lost the presidential primary election, he re-contested for the governorship ticket and won.
The group expressed concern that the party was not getting the needed loyalty from some of those who contested for presidential ticket and lost to Atiku, a development they asserted should be watched out as the party approaches the 2023 general election.
Describing the Bauchi State Governor as a hypocrite, Abubakar said Mohammed is two-faced – on the sides of Atiku and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
“As well-meaning stakeholders interested in the progress of our beloved party and nation, we wish to bring the attention of Alhaji Atiku to some conspirators working against his ambition,” he said.
“No doubt, our party is undergoing a phase – a man-made crisis born out of utter jealousy, pride and selfish interest. We have followed the scheme of things and noticed that some so-called leaders don’t mean well for the party.
“Atiku is a man destined to rule this nation. He is on the right path to achieving this. However, he must be careful with the kind of people he surrounds himself with.”
