![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")
The Rivers Elders Council has urged Gov Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly to work together without distractions when they return to office following the lifting of the emergency rule in the state.
While acknowledging that the parties involved must have learned a few lessons from the political crisis, the council urged all stakeholders to “embrace the peace and reconciliation that has now returned to our dear state.”
They urged all parties involved to avoid a recurrence of the circumstances that resulted in emergency rule in the state and instead focus on maintaining peace, unity, and development in the oil-rich state.
Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, announced this in a statement made in Port Harcourt on Tuesday morning headed ‘End Of Emergency Rule: Let’s Unite For the Peace And Progress Of Our Dear State’ and distributed to journalists.
Alabraba praised the Federal Capital Territory’s Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his role in the reconciliation process, as well as Fubara and the House of Assembly for resolving to put the past behind them, particularly as they prepare to resume their constitutional duties.
The elders, on the other hand, warn individuals or groups who may still have grudges to recognize that the crisis has passed and should refrain from making provocative comments or issuing statements that have the potential to cause issues in order to accomplish personal advantage.
The statement partly reads, “As the end of the emergency rule in our dear State beckons, and restoration of full democratic governance ushers in Governor Siminilayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule to resume their constitutional duties, this affords us an opportunity to reflect on a number of issues:
“Where we are coming from, what to do to avoid the recurrence of the unfortunate circumstances we found ourselves in, and significantly, how to sustain peace, unity, and development in our beloved Rivers State.
“For us as leaders and members of the Rivers State Elders Council, we urge all stakeholders, without exception, to embrace the peace and reconciliation that has now returned to our dear state.”
The elders’ statement further read, “We also quickly wish to admonish the few individuals and groups who are still fanning the embers of discord to come to terms with the fact that the crisis is over and stop making inflammatory statements, inciting rhetoric in the media, and whipping up sentiments for their selfish interests.
“They should prioritize the interest of the state and allow Governor Fubara and the House of Assembly to work together without further distractions.
“We equally commend the Governor and the Leadership of the House of Assembly for making peace. At this point, we can only remind them that they did not only agree on peace in Abuja but also, on their own, went to the Villa and affirmed their reconciliation before His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”
The elders added, “That vow, Mr. President, remains sacrosanct. Therefore, going forward, they must work harmoniously in the interest of the state. The people of Rivers State expect nothing less from them.”
The elders council praised the people of the state for their patience and understanding during the emergency rule, describing it as a vote of confidence in President Tinubu’s administration, “whose proactive action averted the disaster that was about to descend on the state.”
“He (Wike) did not only bring the parties together but also ensured that the parties went to Mr. President to brief him firsthandon the details of their understanding.
“And to our dear President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we say a very big thank you for bringing Rivers State back from the brink and taking actions to ensure the peace that we now enjoy in the State.”
They lauded Tinubu for the confidence reposed in the FCT Minister, whom they describe as a ‘cherished leader’ as a member of his cabinet, saying, “Your astute resolution of the Rivers crisis is yet another manifestation of your goodwill towards the state.
“Mr. President, we appreciate you and assure you that you have already captured the hearts of the people of Rivers State, and as your administration continues to pursue the Renewed Hope Agenda, you can count on the support of Rivers people at all times.”
Chronicle NG reports that Tinubu on Wednesday ended the emergency rule in Rivers State and reinstated Fubara.
The Nigerian president, in a statement on September 17, also announced the return of the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and stated that Martins Amaewhule will return as speaker of the House.
Tinubu, who justified the imposition of emergency rule in the state, mentioned that his actions were constitutional and within the ambits of his authority.
![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")
