![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 executive governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that he is a full-blooded Ijaw, contrary to speculations that he is not a complete Ijaw.
Fubara made the pronouncement yesterday while receiving the Kalabari traditional institution, Kalabari Se Kobiri, who came to formally inform him about the demise of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, late King Theophilus Princewill, at Government House in Port Harcourt.
The Kalabari Se Kobiri was headed by Chief Charles Numbere, Regent of Kalabari Kingdom, and Prince Tonye Princewill, Chairman of the Central Working Committee for the late monarch’s burial.
The governor said, “Let me say, I am happy that the media is here. There have been speculations everywhere that Fubara is not a complete Ijaw.
“The truth is that Ijaw is not complete without Opobo. You can’t talk about Ijaw’s struggle without the Opobo and Kalabari. For the records, I am full-blooded Ijaw, up to my bones.”
He praised the late King Amachree as one of the leaders who can always tell the truth, no matter whose ox is gored, and said his demeanor was a symbol of pure Ijaw.
Fubara, who praised the Central Working Committee for its efforts thus far, urged Kalabari leaders to band together to secure the late monarch’s successful transition.
Earlier in his statement, Chief Charles Numbere, Regent of Kalabari Kingdom, stated that the purpose of the visit was to formally inform the governor that the late traditional ruler would be buried on November 30, 2023.
Numbere said: “You already know that your and our father, King Professor Theophilus Princewill, the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, has joined his ancestors.
“We came to tell you firsthand, as tradition demands, that King Professor Theophilus Princewill, Amanyanabo of Kalabari, will be laid to rest on November 30, 2023.
“We pray for you to be available on November 30, 2023, in Buguma City, not just to grace the occasion but to lead the funeral.”
![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")
