![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")
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has officially nominated United States President, Donald Trump, for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts to foster peace and stability across regions.
During a White House dinner on Monday, Netanyahu, currently in Washington D.C. for high-level talks, personally handed Trump the nomination letter addressed to the Nobel Prize Committee.
“I want to express the appreciation and admiration not only of all Israelis, but of the Jewish people,” Netanyahu said, commending Trump’s contributions.
The Israeli leader further praised Trump’s global diplomatic engagements, stating, “He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other.”
He then presented the nomination letter, adding, “So, I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It’s nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved. You should get it.”
Responding, Trump acknowledged the gesture, “Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful.”
This marks Trump’s second nomination for the prestigious award. Just last month, Pakistan recommended the US president for brokering a temporary truce between India and Pakistan.
In a statement, the Pakistani government lauded Trump’s role as a “genuine peacemaker,” citing his strategic foresight and robust diplomatic initiatives with Islamabad and New Delhi.
The latest endorsement by Netanyahu comes as tensions remain high in the Gaza Strip, where Israel continues its offensive despite active ceasefire negotiations.
Last week, Trump claimed that Israel had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas. Subsequently, Hamas confirmed that it had submitted a “positive response” to a hostage-ceasefire proposal.
This meeting between Trump and Netanyahu is the first since the brief Israel-Iran war, which saw US military involvement, including targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Speaking on that conflict, Trump remarked that he “hoped” further strikes would not be necessary.
Commenting on the future of Gaza, Netanyahu stated, “We’re working with the United States, very closely, about finding countries that will seek to realise what they have always said — that they want to give the Palestinians a better future, and I think we are getting close to finding several countries. Again, the freedom to choose, Palestinians should have it.”
Trump added, “We’ve had great cooperation from many surrounding Israel… something good will happen.”
Back in February, during a previous White House visit, Trump made a controversial statement suggesting that the US would “take over” and “own” Gaza, adding that Palestinians would “go to other countries.” The United Nations strongly condemned the remarks, labeling the idea as ethnic cleansing.
![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")
