![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")
Adeola Omotoso, daughter of veteran actress Jumoke George, has opened up about her harrowing experience in Mali.
Last week, in an interview with fellow actress Biola Bayo, George revealed that Adeola, 41, had been missing for four years.
On Monday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), confirmed that Adeola had been found and returned to Nigeria.
Dabiri disclosed that the actress’ daughter was trafficked to Mali under the guise of seeking better job opportunities.
Recounting her ordeal in an interview with Biola Bayo, Adeola explained that her journey began when she met someone who offered to help her travel to Mali for work.
She said that when she arrived in the country’s capital, Bamako, she was told she had been “bought” and would have to work as a prostitute to repay 1.5 million CFA francs.
“I met someone who suggested I travel to Mali. She said she knew someone who owned a pharmacy and asked if I could manage the business,” she said.
“I agreed but didn’t inform anyone at home. We traveled by road for four days through Cotonou, Togo, Ghana, and other countries.
“When I got to Bamako, I called the contact I was given. When I arrived at the person’s house, she said she was my madam and that she bought me from my sister. She said I would work as a prostitute to repay 1.5 million CFA francs.
“I was very confused and tried to confirm if I was at the right address. She insisted that I was there for prostitution. I told her I couldn’t do it and would rather die. She threatened me, and I told her she was free to do whatever she wanted.”
Adeola said that for refusing to comply, she was stripped of her phone and travel documents, leaving her stranded.
She was later taken to a brothel but managed to escape after meeting a sympathetic man who helped her get a job with a food vendor.
“We eventually arrived at the place where we would stay. When we got there, I knew I wouldn’t survive. I told her I couldn’t work as a prostitute but could do other jobs to repay her. She took my phone and travel documents,” she added.
“But I met a man there and explained my ordeal to him. He helped me find a job with a food vendor in another location.
“While working there, I heard stories and saw Nigerians who had died because of prostitution.
“I wanted to save some money to return home and didn’t want to come back empty-handed. I thought about calling my mum and kids, but I couldn’t because I felt ashamed.
“I had been away from home for four years and had nothing to show for it. I was suffering and didn’t know what to do. I even told my roommate not to post my picture on social media if I died.
“I don’t know how good my mum is before God that made Him save me from all the evil that could have happened to me in Mali.”
![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")
