![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")
Three doctors at the Ikot Ekpene General Hospital in Akwa Ibom State are under investigation after the death of a pregnant woman, Ndiana Amos, and her baby, which was allegedly caused by medical negligence.
The House of Assembly Committee on Health recommended the Ministry of Health and the State Hospitals Management Board take disciplinary action against medical staff following their investigations into the deaths of Amos and her baby.
Moses Essien, chairman of the committee and member representing the Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, delivered the decision at a meeting with the commissioner for health, Dr. Ekem John, and top ministry and hospital board officials at the Assembly complex on Thursday.
According to a viral video released online by her sister, the dead woman and her infant died last weekend as a result of suspected medical malpractice.
The clip sparked great outrage throughout the state, causing Governor Umo Eno to launch an investigation into the event.
Following an unexpected fact-finding visit to the hospital on Monday, the committee determined that the tragedy was caused by negligence rather than a lack of resources.
The committee’s findings found that Dr. Mfon Thomas, the first doctor on call, noted the patient’s condition, which was suspected to be placenta previa, and requested a second opinion from Dr. Enobong Udota, who was not there.
Another medical doctor, Dr. Etoro Abasi Okon, who was not on duty, was eventually reached but arrived nearly two hours late.
According to the report, the third doctor on call, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Ekerette Dan, was never told of the emergency.
“By the time surgery was performed, the baby had already died. Although the mother was initially stabilized post-surgery, she succumbed to excessive bleeding shortly after,” the committee noted.
Essien was disturbed by the results and pledged that the Assembly will not rest until those involved are sanctioned.
He asked the health commissioner to take responsibility and make appropriate recommendations to the governor.
He described the situation as a “preventable tragedy” and blamed it on professional errors by on-duty personnel.
![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")
