![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 All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a landslide victory in the just concluded local government elections held in Lagos and Ogun states.
The ruling party was able to secure all council seats in the 57 local governments in Lagos state and the 20 local governments in Ogun state.
Although the election was marred by severe voter apathy, victory was enough consolation for the successful party as jubilated in all the councils.
The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kolade Alabi, who was re-elected in Bariga for a second term, thanked the electorates for their loyalty.
It was a double celebration for Alabi, who was also re-elected as ALGON president in Abuja prior to the council polls.
He promised to continue his service of good governance for the people of Bariga and all council officials across the nation.
“I thank our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the party leaders at the state level and Bariga. I also thank all those involved in my re-election. I will not take your support for granted,” Alabi said.
Dr Ahmed Apatira, who was also re-elected in Itire/Ikate Council, thanked the voters, party leaders and members for the victory.
His Iru-Victoria Island counterpart, Princess Rasheedat Adu, thanked Oniru of Iruland Oba Gbolahan Lawal, the party members and the electorates for giving her a second term.
Princess Adu said she will increase her commitment to the development of Iru-Victoria Island.
Apapa-Iganmu LCDA Chairman Alhaja Funmilayo Akande-Mohammed appreciated Asiwaju Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, party leaders, members and the people for the victory at the polls.
She also promised to deliver more dividends of democracy to Lagosians.
The APC in Lagos State yesterday reiterated its commitment to the implementation of its campaign promises to Lagosians.
The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, thanked Lagosians for reaffirming their faith in the party by overwhelmingly voting for its candidates during the weekend council elections.
LASIEC may issue certificates of return to the chairmen-elect today, according to sources.
It was learnt that the swearing-in of the new council chairmen may take place tomorrow.
Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has released the results of 20 local governments for last Saturday’s council election.
It declared the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winners.
About 12 parties, including the Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Alliance, Accord Party, Young Peoples Party (YPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were listed as participants in the elections, but a faction of the PDP pulled out at the 11th hour.
OGSIEC Chairman Babatunde Osibodu, who described the election as one of the most peaceful, credible and fair in the state, urged the victors to be magnanimous in victory and the losers to be courageous in defeat.
He hailed the parties and their candidates for conducting themselves according to the rules guiding the poll, saying had they taken the path of “violence and war,” the elections would not have enjoyed the hitch-free, credible and peaceful manner it had.
The OGSIEC boss gave cumulative figure of 396,641 as the total valid votes cast and shared among the parties in the 20 local governments, pledging to release later, the cumulative number of votes garnered by APC candidates in the 20 councils.
Among the winners are veteran journalist and publisher, Wale Adedayo, who polled 9,660 votes in Ijebu East; Babatunde Emilola-Gazal, who scored 6,178 votes in Ijebu-Ode; Odulate Olashile (Sagamu, 20,925 votes); Shuab Ladejobi (Odogbolu, 14,985 votes); while Odusanya Bolaji won in Ijebu-North with 25,701 votes.
![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")
