![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")
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has felicitated with Muslims as they celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.
Osinbajo in a terse statement said, “I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters across the country a joyful Eid celebration.
“In this season, may the bonds of friendship, charity, the chords of love, service and commitment to our country be renewed and strengthened amongst all Nigerians.”
I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters across the country a joyful Eid celebration.
In this season, may the bonds of friendship, charity, the chords of love, service and commitment to our country be renewed and strengthened amongst all Nigerians.
~YO pic.twitter.com/AfOPMJEz8c— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) July 9, 2022
Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari urged Muslims to use the celebration as a time for reflection.
“I rejoice with Muslims in Nigeria and around the world as we celebrate Eid El Kabir. This celebration is, as always, an opportunity to reflect on the spiritual significance embodied by Eid, and to rededicate ourselves to showing love and care to our neighbours and others,” Buhari said.
“Let us all strive to use religion as motivation for the love of our common humanity. If we’re committed to putting the teachings of our religions into practice, most of the evils afflicting our society would’ve been solved. Religion should never just be a mere badge of identity.
“The exploitation of the people by traders and the stealing of public funds by civil servants and other holders of public trust is a reflection of the abandonment of the teachings of our religions.
“Our society is a bundle of contradictions. People display external religiosity without fear of God;make life difficult for others; money becomes their god; leaders abandon their oaths of office by taking money meant for the welfare of the people & diverting it to private pockets.
“On this occasion we remember and salute our brave men and women in uniform, fighting terror on many fronts; we remember their families too, as well as all the people held hostage and kept away from their families by wicked and heartless terrorists.
“In Nigeria today, we are indeed facing challenges related to security and the cost of living. I am aware of all these challenges, and our administration is working hard to resolve them. I want to assure that I will not rest until I bring relief to Nigerians.
“I pray that this Eid will be a source of blessing, peace, prosperity and safety for us all. We will triumph over all of the challenges facing us. Peace, prosperity and stability will prevail in Nigeria,” the President said.
![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-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
