![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday restrained the Office of Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Kosofe Local Government from forcefully taking over the Alaba Section of Mile 12 Market.
Justice Latifat Oluyemi gave the interim injunction pending determination of an application before the court.
Other respondents in the suit number ID/6464GCMW/2022, include Ikosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area, Dr Chris Onyekachi, Total Value Integrated Services Ltd. and Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The application was initiated by Incorporated Trustees of Orirere Community Leaders and Traders Association, Yeye Precious Modupe Ojo, Alhaji Akinwale Jimoh and Babatunde Adetula of the Mile 12 market.
The claimants sued for themselves and on behalf of the traders from the Alaba Section of Mile 12 market.
Justice Latifat Oluyemi restrained the respondents, their agents, servants, privies and any other person from demolishing or forcefully taking over the section of Mile 12 pending determination of the motion on notice.
The suit was brought under Order 42 Rules 1 and 4 and Order 43 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, and other provisions.
The claimants’ counsel, Mr M.G. Quadri, alleged that he was refused entry and chased out by Princess Samiat Abolanle-Bada, the Chairman of the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA at a mediation meeting held on Dec. 19, 2022, which he said, all parties attended.
Quadri had alleged that the respondents continued with demolition of the said section of the market on Dec. 18, 2022, in spite of service of court processes and prior agreement by parties concerned.
He said that the agreement which took place at the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, on Dec. 17 2022, was to stay active until the Dec. 19, 2022 meeting.
“On Dec. 19, the second meeting was held. All parties who attended the previous meeting also attended this one.
“The respondents orally promised the applicants to begin some sort of resolution process and stop further destruction of the market.
“Despite the promises given, destruction of properties and assault on helpless traders by heavily armed thugs have not stopped. It only increased exponentially.
“From the time the motion on notice was filed, up until now, more parts of the Alaba Section of the Mile 12 Market have been destroyed.
“Traders have been forced away from their shops, and thugs have been patrolling the area, assaulting anyone that comes close,” the counsel had submitted.
The judge adjourned the case until Jan. 19 for further hearing.
![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
