![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")
Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s top scorer, is a doubt for Monday’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday.
Palmer, who has 14 league goals this season, landed awkwardly after a challenge during Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, but the England international played the rest of the match.
“They kicked him so he didn’t train today, we don’t know if he will train tomorrow,” Maresca said at a press conference on Friday.
“Cole Palmer, Levi (Colwill), Romeo (Lavia) were not in the session today. We have three or four players who are a doubt for Monday’s game because in the last game they picked up some problems.
“We rely on Cole Palmer because he is a big player. We prefer to play with Cole but in case he has an injury or a problem, then we will find a solution.”
Fifth-placed Chelsea, who are winless in their previous five games, triumphed 6-2 against Wolves in August, but Maresca claimed it would be unwise to expect the same result on Monday, with new manager Vitor Pereira taking over at the 17th-placed club last month.
“They changed managers, so it is not the same idea. I don’t think the last game there can be important. It is a new game, a new manager, a different way to attack and defend. Hopefully we can be ready and get the three points,” Maresca added.
