![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 "Anthony Odiong: Nigerian Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison over sexual assault")
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the financial recklessness that led to the suspension of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani.
The PDP was concerned that the suspension of the two officials exposed what it called the careless financial mismanagement under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s government, according to a statement released by Tony Aziegbemi, the party’s state chairman.
“We also urge relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services, the military, the police, and the EFCC, to investigate the fraudulent activities and financial recklessness characterising the government’s operations over the past two months,” Aziegbemi said.
Following accusations of financial violations against Osagie and Lawani, the suspensions took place on Wednesday.
This increased the number of prominent state officials that Okpebholo had suspended to three.
Ahmed Momoh, the Executive Director/CEO of the State Flood Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, had been suspended by the governor for insubordination just two weeks prior for his participation in an unapproved turbaning ceremony.
The governor appointed a committee to look into the claims against Osagie and Lawani and offer recommendations in a letter dated February 5, 2025, signed by Secretary to the State Government Umar Ikhilor.
The two officers were to stay suspended until the investigation was finished, the statement further stated.
“The suspension of Hon. Damian Lawani and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice became necessary to enable the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them. They are to remain suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement noted.
On Thursday, Osagie officially disputed the charges, stating that he had never been involved in any financial malfeasance.
He said he was prepared to defend himself and clear his record.
“Let me state unequivocally that I am not and was never involved in any financial dealings with anyone nor committed any financial infractions of any kind. I was also not confronted with the said allegations by anyone until my suspension was announced. I will be prepared to defend myself and prove my innocence in order to clear my name and hard-earned reputation, which I have laboured to build over the years,” Osagie stated.
The PDP’s Aziegbemi called for a thorough EFCC investigation, underlining that the suspension verified the party’s worries about systematic corruption within the Okpebholo administration.
“These findings merely scratch the surface of systemic corruption, misappropriation of public funds, and blatant legal violations occurring right under the governor’s watch,” Aziegbemi said. “Despite these suspensions, only a thorough investigation can reveal the full extent of the corruption and organised theft committed by these disempowered politicians, who have regained control of public finances in just 85 days of Okpebholo’s administration.”
He further accused the state government of several sorts of financial mismanagement, including the illegal expulsion of lawfully elected council chairpersons, mishandling funding for local government personnel, and a sharp fall in the state’s internally produced revenue from N8bn to N2bn monthly.
In order to support grassroots development, the PDP urged the federal government to step in immediately in Edo State, return local governments to their elected representatives, and guarantee their autonomy.
Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) state publicity secretary, said his party would make its stance on the issue public on Friday when contacted for comment.
![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 "Anthony Odiong: Nigerian Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison over sexual assault")
