![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")
Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Eagles’ Assembly Zonal Headquarters, Ejigbo is organizing a one-day free medical screening and consultancy for members of the public to help them know their medical status.
Over 1000 people are expected to be screened for Malaria, Hepatitis, Diabetes, HIV I and II.
Those who are diagonised with ailments such as malaria will get free drugs from seasoned doctors with many years of experience while others will be referred to hospitals were they can be treated.
The screening exercise will hold on Saturday 10th December, 2016 between 9am to 4pm at 73 Adebayo Osho Street, Ori Oke bus stop, along Ikotun-Egbe road, Ejigbo, Lagos.
People will enjoy malaria test and drugs, free HIV 1 & 2 screening, HIV counselling, blood group test, diabetes test and drugs.
There will be Hepatitis B test and many will get free mosquito nets to prevent them from malaria.
According to Pastor Morenikeji Jesusina, the Pastor in charge of MFM Eagles’ Assembly Zonal Headquarters, they sees it as an opportunity to give back to the society particularly in this recession.
He explained that Christians often pay little attention to their health and body while others cannot afford basic drugs like malaria drugs.
Stressing that, “people can best contribute to development of their community and the country at large when they are healthy.”
He urged the public to exercise their bodies and check their eating habits to live healthier.
Adding that, the medical exercise was part of the Church’s end of the year programme to bring medical screening to the door steps of members and to those in the community.
