![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 Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has praised Chidimma Adetshina for finishing as the first runner-up in the just concluded 2024 Miss Universe pageant in Mexico
Adetshina lost to the winner, Victoria Kjær, who represented Denmark in the competition.
Chidimma would eventually be crowned the new Miss Universe Africa.
The news was met with widespread jubilation among Nigerians.
Bianca, a former 1988 MBGN winner took to her Instagram page on Monday to praise Adetshina’s resilience and fighting spirit.
“A BIG Congratulations to our very own. Resilience, perseverance and true grit will always win the day. Kudos to Chidimma Adetshina who has done the Nation proud.”
She may not have won the pageant, but this is our best outing and she beat this path against all odds,” she said.
The 56-year-old- said that Chidimma had indeed earned her laurels.
Chidimma Born in Soweto, South Africa came into the limelight following scrutiny she faced while participating in Miss South Africa 2024.
Accused of committing identity fraud related to her mother’s acquisition of South African citizenship in 2001, Chidimma withdrew from the pageant, citing concerns for her well-being and safety.
She would then go on to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 where she won and was crowned.
