![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 BBNaija Season 6 housemate, Queen Atang, has ruffled the online community with the announcement of her pregnancy.
On Friday, the BBNaija reality TV star took to her Instagram page to share the news of her pregnancy with lovely photo shoots rocking her baby bump.
Queen Atang, expressed excitement about the new journey that she’s about to begin, promising to share her experience with the online community soon.
She wrote: “Looking forward to begin this journey would be the best part of my life
“It’s the dream of every woman to be a mother and I’ve had this dream for long.
“I’m grateful to God for this wonderful experience and for keeping me basking in His euphoria.
“The journey hasn’t been what the movies made it seem like.
“My experience I will share soon. For now I can’t wait to be a mom…”
While her colleagues, BBNaija reality TV stars alongside celebrities congratulated the expectant mother, other social media users queried if she was married faulting society’s acceptance of pregnancy outside wedlock.
Saga Deolu said: “Now the cats out of the bag congrats my Queen! God bless and keep you both.”
Singh Nini wrote: “I am excited, now the world can share from our happiness. Congratulations my love.”
Ebuka stated: “Congratulations Queen.”
Toke Makinwa wrote: “Congratulations baby.”
Mercy Aigbe stated: “Congratulations my love.”
Maria Chike Benjamin said: “Congratulations girl! Praying for divine guidance on this journey for you. You’ll be such a great mum.
Abah_frank wrote: “Chai! This life get money ooo so una Dey celebrate somebody wey never marry and get bele everybody Dey say congratulations abeg make una shift.”
Pr_colour_gold stated: “The Chioma davido wife dat u all loves so much was she married before she gave birth Abeg make na leave the girl… moral teachers.”
Ritu_onyek said: “Am so happy for u, not just because u took the bold step to post these, but you threw caution to the wind, trust me child is a blessing, I have been married for like a 1 year and one month now but haven’t been able to conceive, but seeing this gave me joy.
Somebody will want to troll u for having a baby out of wedlock, some that are looking up to u might get disappointed that u left career for these. But I thank God for u, everything might fade away but your bound of joy will never leave u. Embrace your blessing God doesn’t bless like we think, he does everything according to his own will. God preserve and bless you and your baby Amen.”
Mc_na2 wrote: “@whitemoney you were busy making new hair and rubbing cream, see wetin you kom miss nah. Congratulations to the lucky winner of @Queenmercyatang.. cheers to owner of this great investment dear….”
Exchange_vendor stated: “So now una dey celebrate person wey never marry carry belle wow.”
Unusualgodess wrote: “You have sex and don’t get pregnant, then you come and ask another person that did same but became pregnant, questions as though, the sin is the pregnancy and not the sex. Please the congratulations is to her having her baby it’s a blessing. Her story is left only for her to say not you. So fornicators coming here to ask silly questions should be ashamed of themselves.”
Tessy Ann stated: “The way some of y’all come here to question her marital status? Lol are you okay? Is that your business some women have decided to just be single and raise their kids on their own instead of being with an excuse of a man!! Her peace of mind is what’s paramount and last checked she carried her baby herself so y’all FC off get a life !!”
![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")
