The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle has congratulated the new President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.
In a statement issued and signed by his Special Assistant (Media & Communications), Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, he commended President Muhammadu Buhari for resisting the pressure mounted on him by some forces not to send her name to the Senate for confirmation.
CAN therefore felicitates Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem on her elevation and wishes her a successful tenure in her service to the nation and prays God to grant her wisdom, knowledge, understanding, courage, commitment, good health and sound mind needed to serve and finish strong and well.
We were not unaware of the plot to deny her of the exalted office despite her enviable reputation and credentials but those forces were frustrated with the resolve of the President to ensure justice and fairness prevail over selfish interest.
According to the leadership of the Christian body, CAN, the confirmation of Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as the President of the Court of Appeal shows that President Buhari is being sensitive to the aspiration and yearnings of the populace to have a nation where everyone has a sense of belonging irrespective of his religious, political and ethnic affiliations.
The statement maintained that “We at CAN, will not cease to pray for the peace, unity and stability of the country. We will also continue to pray for all President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as all our leaders at national, state and local government levels for God’s guidance, wisdom and protection.
“Finally, we call on Justice Dongban-Mensem to ensure that she lives up to the expectations of God and citizens of this country without fear or favour. That is the only way she can show her deepest appreciation to God for elevating her as well as the goodwill support she gets from the citizens of this country.
“It is well with Nigeria and her citizens in Jesus Name”.
![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")
