![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")
- Committee displays register for transparency
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State on Friday said his committee will be fair to all aspirants in the Saturday’s APC governorship primaries in Osun.
Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the state capital, AbdulRazaq urged party leaders and members to be peaceful and conduct themselves in a way that would portray the party in good light.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by all the aspirants for the governorship primaries: Governor Gboyega Oyetola; Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (Shehu); and former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuf.
Members of the Osun State Governorship Primaries are: Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Chairman); Senator Julius Ucha (Secretary); Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe; Hon. Abdulkarim Abdulrahman; Hon. Wale Raji; Chief Mrs Yetunde Imolehin; and Mr Ofonmbuk Okon Bassy.
“I want to say that we have been sent from the national headquarters of our party to conduct the governorship primaries. We shall be fair to all aspirants. And fairness, indeed, is the keyword here,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We urge our members to come out en masse to vote for the aspirant of their choice. We seek the understanding of all our party leaders and members to be peaceful. Let us not do anything that will put our great party to disrepute.”
Governor Oyetola, for his part, said: “It is a family affair and I trust that the calibre of the committee’s members and the chairman and Governor of Kwara State will ensure that it is free and fair. (Option A4) is an exercise not new to us. We have gone through it before and I believe we will have a peaceful, free and fair tomorrow.
“I appeal to all our members and supporters to please ensure peace. I want to urge all our supporters that it is not a battleground.”
Alhaji Adeoti, who also commended the committee members, requested to have a copy of the guidelines as well as the party membership register.
The committee openly displayed the membership register to be used for the exercise.
Adeoti, wanting to ascertain the genuineness of the document, checked the register for Ilesa East and affirmed its correctness.
Senate spokesman Bashir Ajibola (Osun Central) said: “I want to urge all of us gladiators who have used the platform of our party to achieve a lot should not, out of our personal ambitions, jeopardise the interest of our great party and other members.”
The primaries shall be done through Open Secret Ballot System, the committee said, urging aspirants and their supporters to abide by the guidelines of the primaries.
The committee also said candidates may have their posters displayed at the venue but shall not canvass for votes there, among other regulations.
![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")
