![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?")
Anthony Joshua is certain to break Tyson Fury’s British attendance record in his forthcoming world title fight against Daniel Dubois.
Joshua will face Dubois for the IBF title on September 21 at Wembley Stadium, where organisers estimate over 100,000 people.
Fury broke a British attendance record in April 2023, when 94,000 people packed Wembley Stadium to watch him defeat Dillian Whyte.
In an interview with talkSPORT, promoter Frank Warren expressed optimism that the upcoming bout would exceed that figure.
“Oh, it’s massive. I mean, we will be applying to increase the capacity like we did last time when Tyson Fury fought against Dillian Whyte. And I think we’ve got it; I think we will probably break that record. So, it’s really looking good,” he said.
Joshua, 34, is no stranger to sell-out stadium spectacles; he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in front of nearly 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium in 2017.
He also drew 75,000 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and another 62,000 at Tottenham’s football stadium.
However, his last two fights were in Saudi Arabia, where he defeated Otto Wallin and former UFC champion Francis Ngannou via knockout.
Warren acknowledged Joshua’s challenge but remained hopeful about Dubois’ possibilities.
“A lot of people are making Joshua a favourite, and they’re saying AJ is a big puncher and so forth, and I hope he comes out and comes to fight because if he lets those big punches go, I know that will leave him exposed. If Daniel clips him, it will knock him out. I think Daniel is the bigger puncher,” Warren said.
“I genuinely think that Daniel can win this; he’s a young man, and he’s fought better opposition in his last three fights than AJ has. And by the way, AJ has looked good in his last few fights, but not against as good opposition as what Daniel has been in with.”
