![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?")
Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday restrained the All Progressives Congress (APC) from holding the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for 17 March 2020.
The order of the court was sequel to a motion on notice filed and argued before the court by Dr Ehiogie West-Idahosa on behalf of ten chairmen of states chapters of the party namely Hon Ali Bukar Dolari, Alhaji Shittu Shittu, Joan Amos, John Ochalla, Gboyega Famodun, Hon. Bashiru Bolarinwa, Professor John Erue, Akin Oke, Hon Initially T. Okopito, Ayo Afolabi, Nabena Yekini, and Secretary South West zone Hon Babatunde Balogun and the deputy national publicity secretary of the party, Hon Ibrahim Tukur Elusuidi.
The defendants to the suit are APC, INEC and Inspector General of Police.
In an affidavit sworn to by Hon. Babatunde Balogun who is chairman Lagos state chapter of the party and a member of national executive committee averred that all the plaintiffs are members of the national executive committee of the party.
He further averred that on the 6th of March, 2020 he read notice of meeting issued by one Victor Giadom purporting to convey an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party.
He further stated that he read on social media and online publications that the National Working Committee did not authorise the defendants to convey a meeting of the NEC.
Immediately, he consulted the other plaintiffs, they decided to approach the court, that unless the defendants who are APC, INEC and IGP are restrained, they will give effect to the resolution and decisions made at the meeting unilaterally conveyed by the said Mr Victor Giadom who purported to be the acting national secretary of the party has no powers whatsoever under the constitution of APC to unilaterally summon an emergency meeting of the NEC at a time the minimum of seven days notice to those are entitled to attend the meeting.
That it is important for court to issue an order to maintain status quo pending the determination of substantive suit.
At the time of this report, access to the secretariat of the party is restricted for the purpose of the bailiff serving court process on them.
Consequently the publication of the process and order of the court will be adequate notice to the defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Liman ordered all the parties to maintain status quo while citing the case of Ojukwu vs Lagos State government which states that while a case is before the court none of the parties should do anything to overreach the court.
He also ordered that the order of the court should be advertised in two national dailies which will serve as notice to the defendants.
He adjourned the case to 25 March 2020 for hearing of substantive suit.
![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?")
