![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")
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ukalikpe Napoleon, has been declared the winner of the Ahoada East State Constituency bye-election conducted on February 21, 2026, in Rivers State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the result at the close of collation, with the Returning Officer, Prof. Rosemary Ogbo, confirming that the election was duly conducted and contested.
Announcing the final tally, Prof. Ogbo said Ukalikpe polled 3,980 votes to defeat six other candidates. His closest challenger, Godstime Egor of the Action Party of Nigeria (APN), garnered 38 votes, while Ego Marvellous of the Action Alliance (AA) secured 33 votes.
Other results showed Oseja Clifford of the Boot Party (BP) polling 11 votes; Ephraim Raphael Ede of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) scoring 7 votes; Ogide Samson Greatman of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) also recording 7 votes; and Kwodu Saturday Prosper of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) receiving 6 votes.
Prof. Ogbo, while declaring the result, stated that Ukalikpe, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of valid votes cast, is duly returned elected.
“I, Prof. Rosemary Ogbo, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the 2026 Ahoada East State Constituency bye-election held on the 21st day of February 2026. The election was contested and the candidates received the following votes… Ukalikpe Napoleon of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” she announced.
Earlier in the day, Ukalikpe expressed optimism about his chances after casting his vote at Ogbelle Town, Unit 1, Ward 9, in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking to journalists shortly after voting, the APC flagbearer commended voters for what he described as an encouraging turnout and lauded security operatives for maintaining order across the constituency.
“I am very happy with the turnout. There is security everywhere, and there has so far been no disturbance,” he said, noting that the process at his polling unit was seamless.
Ukalikpe also urged Nigerians to commend President Bola Tinubu and INEC for what he described as an improved electoral process, adding that he experienced no difficulty during accreditation and voting.
“I passed through all the hurdles, saw my name on the system and voted without any problem. Everything went peacefully,” he said, expressing confidence of victory even before the official declaration.
Despite the APC’s sweeping margin, our correspondent’s observations indicated that voter turnout varied across polling units. While Unit 1, Ward 9, recorded noticeable activity, some other areas experienced low participation.
At Ward 10, Units 12 and 5, as well as Ward 8, Unit 9 in Ogbelle Town, turnout was low at the time of monitoring.
The bye-election was held to fill the vacant Ahoada East State Constituency seat, with security presence and electoral officials deployed across the affected wards to ensure a peaceful exercise.
![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")
