![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")
Francis Ogwu, a 65-year-old pastor, has been handed over to police after allegedly defiling his seven-year-old domestic help.
Ogwu, the culprit, was detained after worried community residents raised an alarm.
Miss Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, media aide to the Anambra Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, said this in a statement to journalists in Awka on Thursday.
The suspect, a pastor and general overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church in Awka, is from Imo State.
He has resided in Anambra with his wife and children for more than 30 years.
Ogwu confessed to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, that he “just fingered the girl once.”
He denied charges of penetration, contradicting what the seven-year-old victim stated.
Ogwu ascribed his actions to temptation, claiming that his wife frequently refused him sex and would make excuses about fasting anytime he desired her.
Meanwhile, the seven-year-old, who told her version of the incident, claimed the suspect had carnal knowledge of her on three occasions.
She told the Commissioner that her guardian, Ogwu, generally handed her money ranging from N500 to N1,000 after each experience.
She also said that the pastor’s wife accused her of taking the husband from her.
The girl stated that what pushed her to quit was the beating she received from the suspect’s daughter for the smallest mistake.
Destiny Nwabueze, the victim’s mother and an Awka native, revealed that she gave her daughter to the Ogwu family since they had a good relationship throughout the years.
Nwabueze stated that she was astonished when her daughter returned and informed her of the event.
She stated that she immediately called the pastor, who rejected the charges upon arriving, prompting her to implicate others by raising an alarm.
Obinabo responded to the terrible occurrence by saying she would guarantee the seven-year-old received justice.
The Commissioner recommended women to remain watchful about their spouses’ behaviours.
She also encouraged ladies to quit depriving their husbands of sex, as this may lead to poor behaviour in some men.
Obinabo, who urged women to protect their girl children at all costs, stated that defilement was no longer tolerated in Anambra State.
Ogwu was detained by police while the case was being handled in court.
![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")
