![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 Federal Inland Revenue Service, on Wednesday, continued it tax enforcement exercise in Lagos, shutting down offices of companies owing a variety of taxes.
The FIRS enforcement, led by Mr. Umar Bukar Gana, visited the premises of Ace Products and Services, situated at 20, Sanni Ashmiu Close, Awoyaya, Lagos, which has a tax debt of N157.3 million.
However, staff of the company refused to open the gate for members of the team despite properly identifying themselves as FIRS officials.
The refusal to open the gates lasted about 15 minutes, after which policemen attached to the team forced the gates open for Gana to order company staff out of the premises for the company to sealed.
The team also visited Globasure Technology Limited at 10, Ashabi Adewale Close, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
The company is indebted to the tune of N36.5 million, accumulated between 2007 and 2014 assessment years.
The company’s managing director admitted that the organisation is owing, but an unspecified amount he claimed was below what the FIRS said it owes.
He appealed to the team for more time, blaming the failure to pay on the harsh economic situation in the country. His plea was, however, ignored and the company was shut.
