![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
Nigerian international striker Victor Boniface netted an equalizer on Sunday against Borussia Dortmund to maintain Bayern Leverkusen’s unbeaten record in all competitions this season.
The visitors got off to an early goal, with Julian Ryerson giving them the lead within five minutes of play.
Niclas Füllkrug controlled the ball effectively before teeing up his colleague, who dispatched the ball coolly beyond Luká Hrádeck to startle the home fans.
Leverkusen answered with the zeal that one would expect from an unbeaten league leader.
Granit Xhaka came so close to tying the game that half of the BayArena thought his shot had gone in, while Jonas Hofmann and Jonathan Tah both nearly missed making contact with threatening crosses.
On the stroke of halftime, Florian Wirtz felt the hosts’ perseverance had paid off when he blasted his shot in off the underside of the crossbar, but an earlier offside position by Victor Boniface meant the goal did not stand.
Early in the second half, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens surged through for a chance to double Dortmund’s lead, but Odilon Kossounou recovered superbly to force him off the ball before he could shoot.
Leverkusen were stirred into life by that early opportunity, just like they were in the first half, but they struggled to make any headway.
As the game opened up, Xhaka curled one chance wide from the edge of the box, and with the clock ticking, Leverkusen were forced to commit players forward while Dortmund attempted to do further damage on the break.
Patrik Schick was sent on to add further firepower to the Leverkusen attack, and he needed just seconds to make a difference, teeing up Boniface for the equalizer.
Boniface fizzed in another shot to sting Gregor Kobel’s palms as the hosts sought a winner, but they had to settle for a point as Dortmund’s defense held firm.
Patrik Schick was brought on to give more firepower to the Leverkusen attack, and he made an immediate impact, setting up Boniface for the equalizer.
As the hosts sought a winner, Boniface fizzed in another shot that pricked Gregor Kobel’s palms, but they had to settle for a point as Dortmund’s defense held firm.
Leverkusen remain unbeaten in all games played this season, and they sit atop the Bundesliga table with 35 points, closely followed by Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich.
