![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 fifth senior Kenyan Olympic official has been arrested as part of the investigation into missing money and equipment following Rio 2016.
Police went to the Nairobi home of Ben Ekumbo, who is vice-president of the country’s Olympic committee and head of its swimming federation.
He was reportedly hiding under a bed.
Officers found boxes of new Nike running shoes and unused Kenyan team uniforms that were meant to be given to athletes competing at the Games.
The arrest came as it was alleged in a forthcoming report by investigators that high-ranking sports officials stole more than £6.4m in athletes’ expenses and equipment at the Olympics.
Four other officials were arrested in September.
Kenya’s team leader at the Rio Olympics, Stephen Arap Soi, was charged with stealing over $250,000 (£200,400) that was meant to be used for athletes’ travel, accommodation and other expenses in Rio. Another vice president, Pius Ochieng, and secretary general Francis Kinyili Paul were charged with stealing Nike kit.
They have all denied the charges and are out on bail.
The other official, committee treasurer Fridah Shiroya, had charges against her dropped and she is expected to be a state witness and testify against the others.
