![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 coast is now clear for Governor Godwin Obaseki to participate in the Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary elections scheduled for tomorrow.
Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Wednesday struck out the request for injunction against his participation in the exercise by a PDP member, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihiama who is also an aspirant in the election.
The National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Emmanuel Enoidem, informed journalists in Port Harcourt of withdrawal of the suit by the plaintiff and its subsequent dismissal by the presiding judge.
He stated nothing was standing before Governor Obaseki and his aspiration to contest the party primary election tomorrow.
Obaseki’s legal representation, Alex Egesieme, confirmed the development.
Ogbeide-Ihama had in a motion experte he filed before the court on June 22, in suit number PHC/CS/69/2020, sought an order of interim injunction to restrain Obaseki from participating in the elections.
Obaseki defected to the PDP last week after he was screened out by his All Progressives Congress(APC) over alleged irregularities in his certificates.
At the resumed sitting, counsel for the plaintiff, Ferdinad Orbih SAN, told the court that although they did comply with the order of substituted service of the originating summons to all the defendants, the process for amicable resolution of the issues was near concluded.
He asked the court to step down the case for some hours to give them chance to seal the decision, adding if the moves fail, they would return to continue with the business for the day.
The application received the supports of all the parties and the request was granted.
However before the matter was stood down, counsel for Obaseki, Alex Egesieme brought to the notice of the court the motions he has before him, for hearing.
According to him, they are, notice of preliminary objection dated and filed June 24, 2020, memo of conditional appearance of June 22, 2020, which was filed June 23, 2020, also before the court he said are application for injunction pending appeal dated June 23, and filed next day as well as notice of appeal dated June 23, 2020 and filed next day.
However when they returned before the court, Ogbeide- Ihama’s lead lawyer, Donald DeNwigwe SAN informed the court the matter had been settled and applied for withdrawal of the suit.
The court granted the application and dismissed the case.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, shortly after the sitting, Enoidem disclosed that discussion that led to the peaceful resolution of the matter lasted all through Tuesday night into Wednesday’s morning before the plaintiff could agree to withdraw the matter.
“One of us brought and order but because it is a family thing, the family sat down throughput last night and by the early hours of this morning, we came to an understanding that the party must remain united, and the plaintiff in the matter in the interest of the party as a party faithful has agreed to withdraw the case from court.
“What that means is that Governor Obaseki who joined our party last week is going to join in the party primaries scheduled to hold tomorrow in Edo state.”
Also speaking, Egesieme said: “Essentially we came prepared to tell the court that he does not have jurisdiction to entertain the matter, b cause the subject matter borders on the internal affairs of the party of which the court does not have the jurisdiction to hear.
“However, with what has happened today, Obaseki does not have any impediment to contest the PDP primary election scheduled for Thursday, tomorrow,” he maintained.
![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")
