![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")
Canada has turned down nearly 1,600 asylum applications from Nigerian nationals so far in 2025, even as approval rates climb to their highest level in years.
Fresh figures from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) show that by 21 August, Nigerians had lodged 3,548 claims, with 2,292 accepted and 1,596 rejected. That amounts to a 65 per cent success rate—well above the previous decade, when denials topped 13,000.
The surge in applications has been tied to worsening economic hardship and insecurity at home, particularly violence linked to Boko Haram. According to Maple Crest Law, Nigeria remains one of the top five sources of asylum seekers in Canada, alongside Mexico, India, Haiti and Colombia. Ontario and Alberta host the largest numbers of claimants.
Canada grants refugee status only if the IRB’s Refugee Protection Division confirms that an applicant faces persecution under the UN Refugee Convention or risks torture, death, or cruel and unusual treatment if returned. These protections extend to those targeted by race, religion, political opinion, or social group—including LGBTQ+ people, women, and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Experts say that poor documentation and irregular entry often undermine Nigerian claims. “Most times, many Nigerians miss it when they don’t understand the laws governing refugee status,” said Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation. “Documentation is crucial because coming irregularly will get you rejected. But ultimately, those who really need protection should be protected.”
Despite the rejections, Nigeria still ranks among Canada’s top 10 countries for successful claims, placing eighth in 2024 with 2,230 approvals. That same year, Turkiye, Mexico and Colombia led the list.
Asylum applications in Canada remain high overall. The government logged 19,660 claims in the first two months of 2025 alone, following a record-breaking 173,000 in 2024. Critics say the IRB continues to struggle with backlogs and delays in processing cases.
![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")
