![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?")
David Silva has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at Manchester City until 2020.
The 31-year-old Spaniard joined the Blues from Valencia for £24m in 2010.
The midfielder has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups during his time with City.
Pep Guardiola’s side are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after a run of 12 consecutive wins.
El Mago, @21lva signs a new contract! #mancity https://t.co/rhjkjdzhr4
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 30, 2017
Commenting on the new deal, Silva said, “I am so happy to have committed my future to City,” the 31-year-old said.
“I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved at City in my seven-and-a-half seasons here and with Pep in charge, I feel we are in a great position to win trophies this season and beyond.
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“The style of football we are playing is a pleasure to be a part of and I look forward to winning more titles in the years to come.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “We are very pleased with this announcement. Not only has David Silva been central to the Club’s success over recent years, he remains one of the team’s key players.
“He has shown again this season that he is the best creative midfielder in English football and he will be very important in developing our talented young players in the coming years.”
Silva joined City from Valencia in 2010, just days after becoming a World Cup winner with Spain after they beat Holland 1-0 in the final in South Africa.
And success quickly followed at Club level. At the end of his first season, City won the FA Cup, the Club’s first major piece of silverware in 35 years, and the following year saw the Blues lift their first league title since 1968.
In that time, Silva enhanced his reputation as one of Europe’s finest playmakers and quickly became known as the most consistent attacking midfielder in the Premier League.
He was once again a key player as City won another League title and a League Cup in 2014, the Club’s only ever league-and-cup double, as Manuel Pellegrini’s side scored a remarkable 158 goals in all competitions.
In total, he has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups during his time at City, and was an important part of our run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2016.
This season he’s played 18 games in all competitions and currently tops the Premier League assist chart with eight. Indeed, since his debut in 2010, no player has assisted more Premier League goals than El Mago.
He is Spain’s fourth-highest goalscorer of all-time, just three behind Fernando Torres and nine short of legendary Real Madrid striker Raul, and remains a vital player for Julen Lopetegui’s side.
Everyone at City is delighted David has committed his future to the Club and we wish him well with the remainder of his career here.
