![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")
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced three individuals—Omueti Favour Akhigbe, Asa Oluwapelumi, and Olusoga Marvellous—to varying jail terms for impersonation and cybercrime.
Justice A.O. Owoeye delivered the judgment after the trio pleaded guilty to charges filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
According to Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, the convicts were part of an Organized Cybercrime Syndicate Network (OCSN) operating in Lagos. They were apprehended during a raid on their apartments, during which several cars, electronic devices, and other items were recovered.
EFCC prosecutor, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, called investigator Seidu Jibril to review the case facts before the court. Jibril revealed that the defendants had impersonated different individuals online to defraud others.
He explained, “The suspects were members of an Organized Cybercrime Syndicate Network, OCSN, operating in different parts of Lagos State. A team of operatives raided their apartments, where they were arrested. A search was conducted in their apartments, and several cars as well as devices were recovered from them.”
Akhigbe impersonated one Tracy Barbour, Oluwapelumi posed as Harsharvin, and Marvellous operated under the alias John Heately. They pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the court to convict them as charged.
Justice Owoeye sentenced Akhigbe to two years imprisonment with an option of a N350,000 fine. Additionally, his iPhone and a manager’s cheque for N500,000 were forfeited to the Federal Government. Oluwapelumi was sentenced to two years imprisonment or a fine of N550,000. His iPhone 15 and HP laptop were also forfeited.
Marvellous received the heaviest sentence of five years imprisonment with an option of a N600,000 fine. The court ordered the forfeiture of his black Toyota Camry, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and Samsung Galaxy S8 to the Federal Government.
Oyewale confirmed the conviction in a press release issued on December 23, 2024. “The EFCC will continue its fight against cybercrime to deter others from engaging in similar activities,” he stated.
![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")
