![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?")
Premier League clubs have broken their record for spending in a summer transfer window, according to analysis from finance company Deloitte.
Deloitte has calculated clubs have spent £1.5bn so far this summer, exceeding the previous record of £1.4bn in 2017.
There is still a week to go until the transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on 1 September.
Spending at the same point in 2021 was £895m and went on to reach £1.1bn.
“The record levels of spending that we’ve seen in this summer transfer window so far provides a sign that the business models of Premier League clubs are rebounding post-Covid,” said Chris Wood, assistant director in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group.
“While this is encouraging, the importance of clubs establishing responsible and sustainable spending policies cannot be overstated.”
Some of the biggest transfers have seen Liverpool sign Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez from Benfica for an initial £64m in a deal that could rise to £85m, while Manchester United have brought in Brazil midfielder Casemiro for an initial £60m from Real Madrid in a move that could eventually be worth £70m.
Tottenham Hotspur signed Brazil forward Richarlison from Everton in a move believed to be worth £60m and Manchester City secured the arrival of Norway striker Erling Haaland for £51.2m from Borussia Dortmund.
England forward Raheem Sterling joined Chelsea in a £50m deal, while the Blues also signed Spain defender Marc Cucurella from Brighton in a move worth more than £60m.
Fourteen players have so far been signed by Premier League clubs for reported fees of more than £30m, which compares to eight during the 2021 summer transfer window.
