![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 acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has vowed to increase Nigerians’ trust in the judicial system.
She maintained that such a task would not be hers alone but the collective duty of all Nigerians.
“We will take the judiciary to new heights. We will improve its reputation and ensure that people have greater confidence in the judiciary.
“I believe that it is not a one-person job. We all have to be involved because we all recognise the areas that need improvement. I believe there will be cooperation because we all want to see a better judiciary.”
Kekere-Ekun made these remarks at her swearing-in ceremony as the 23rd acting Chief Justice of Nigeria at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
She also noted that her administration would reform the appointment process for judicial officers, promising a better judiciary by the end of her tenure.
“We’ll also be more particular about the process of appointments, which is a significant concern.
“So, this is one of the aspects we will address, and I believe that by the grace of God, by the end of my tenure, we will have a judiciary we can all be proud of. A better judiciary benefits the entire nation; whatever shortcomings we see today, our duty is to improve as members of society.
“So, if you want to see improvement, let it start with each of us and our approach to justice. Let us all also have faith in the system,” added Kekere-Ekun.
The NJC had, on August 15, after its 106th meeting, recommended Kekere-Ekun to the President to replace the outgoing CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Announcing its decision, the council said, “The NJC, at its 106th meeting presided over by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who steps down today, recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as the CJN.”
She succeeds Ariwoola, who assumed office on June 27, 2022, and stepped down on Thursday upon reaching the statutory retirement age of 70 years.
At 66, Kekere-Ekun is expected to serve until her retirement in 2028. She assumes office in an acting capacity pending her confirmation by the Senate.
The ceremony was attended by the President, Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
Also in attendance were the retired CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and members of the National Judicial Council and the Nigerian Bar Association.
![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")
