![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")
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has raised fresh concerns over how Nigerians perceive the Supreme Court of Nigeria, warning that its role in electoral disputes must go beyond delivering final judgments to earning public trust.
Speaking at the 2026 conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice, Osinbajo stressed that although Supreme Court decisions are constitutionally final, they must also inspire confidence among citizens to sustain democracy.
He cautioned that finality does not automatically mean infallibility in the eyes of the public, especially in politically sensitive election cases.
According to him, the judiciary must avoid any perception of imposing outcomes on voters, noting that inconsistencies and disregard for legal precedent in electoral rulings could weaken public confidence.
Osinbajo argued that judicial credibility depends not only on legal correctness but also on transparency, consistency, and clear reasoning in judgments. He called for reforms including improved judicial appointments, stricter adherence to precedent, and stronger accountability mechanisms.
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urged lawyers to uphold ethical standards while adapting to modern legal realities.
Speaking at the same event themed “Evolving Trends: Nigerian Legal Practice, Global Perspectives,” Kekere-Ekun warned against practices driven solely by technicalities rather than justice, saying such trends risk turning the profession into “transactional advocacy.”
She emphasised that lawyers must balance fair remuneration with conscience and professional responsibility, describing their role as both advocates for clients and ministers in the temple of justice.
The CJN highlighted the growing influence of technology, including Artificial Intelligence and cross-border transactions, urging legal practitioners to embrace innovation without compromising ethics.
She also called for stronger collaboration between the Bench and the Bar to build a resilient legal system aligned with global best practices while remaining rooted in Nigeria’s realities.
Also speaking, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu encouraged lawyers to adopt innovation, technology, and entrepreneurial thinking to remain relevant in a rapidly changing global legal environment.
Represented by the state’s Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), Sanwo-Olu described Lagos as a hub for legal innovation and praised the NBA-SLP for shaping the future of legal practice in Nigeria.
![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")
