![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
Hon. Oluwole Oke, the lawmaker representing Osun State’s Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said on Sunday that former Governor Rauf Aregbesola should “go and beg, prostrate, and make peace” with his “principal,” President Bola Tinubu.
Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, stated on social media that if he were in Aregbesola’s place, he would do the same thing.
The remark comes amid political unrest in Osun State, where the Omoluabi Progressives, a political party supported by Aregbesola, recently declared its resignation from the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision followed long-standing and irreconcilable divisions with the mainstream APC, exacerbated by feuds between Aregbesola and his successor, ex-governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
According to many APC insiders, Aregbesola’s departure was prompted in part by a disagreement with Tinubu over unnamed concerns.
In a post uploaded on his official page, Oke, who confirmed the post to our correspondent, added that if he were an APC member, he would have attempted to resolve Aregbesola and Oyetola’s issues.
Oke also urged the PDP to capitalise on the APC’s internal fissures, characterising Aregbesola as a key political player in Osun State.
Oke wrote, “Egbon Rauf ‘Soji Aregbesola, former governor of Osun State and Minister of Interior, is an enigma—a grassroots mobiliser, singer, and dancer. He is a major force and a BRIDE in Osun politics, whether we admit it or not.
“If I were in his shoes, I would go and beg, prostrate, and make peace with my principal, PBAT. Assuming I were a member of the APC in Osun, I would ensure that Asiwaju Gboyega Oyetola and Ogbeni Aregbesola reconcile. As we know, ‘Ija o’ dola”—fighting doesn’t bring wealth.”
Oke advised the PDP to move quickly to gain from the political impasse within the APC.
He described him as a “bride” in Osun politics, saying, “The PDP must act fast, pay the necessary dowry, and bring this ‘bride’ into their fold. Symbol, as he is popularly known, is not someone you let wander.”
Speaking on his time as governor, Oke continued, “Even though I wasn’t in Aregbesola’s party—AC, ACN, or APC—I still won my elections. The secret? The great people of Ijesa North. In the Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District, Ogbeni can still pull a minimum of 20,000 votes. In Ijesa North and Ijesa South, Ogbeni’s influence is undeniable.”
Oke emphasised the importance of bringing the former minister into the PDP, adding, “Any politician who can invite 10 to 20 people to a meeting, feed them, and provide them with a token afterward should not be ignored.”
He concluded by saying, “Baba Kabiru is a factor in Osun politics. Please keep this post and get back to me after 2026.”
![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
