![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")
Harry Kane scored four goals in Tottenham Hotspur’s 5-1 pre-season friendly win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on Sunday as speculation over the England captain’s future intensified.
Kane has entered the final 12 months of his six-year Spurs contract and has been courted aggressively by Bayern Munich, with the German giants reported to have lodged their latest bid for the forward on Friday.
But with Spurs holding firm so far during the pre-season transfer window the 30-year-old Kane showed no sign of being distracted while scoring a hat-trick in 55 minutes against Shakhtar in what was new manager Ange Postecoglou’s first match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Australian boss Postecoglou was given a rousing reception by the Spurs faithful and the noise increased when it was announced Kane would captain the north London side in the absence of Hugo Lloris.
Kane, Tottenham’s all-time record scorer, had two early shots saved, before opening his account with a 38th-minute penalty after James Maddison had been brought down in the area.
The Ukrainian visitors equalised on the brink of half-time through Kevin Kelsy’s close-range header.
But Kane was soon back on the goal trail when he headed in a cross from fellow England international Maddison in the 50th minute.
He completed his treble five minutes later when Son Heung-Min found Dejan Kulusevski, who slipped the ball between Mykola Matviyenko’s legs, with Kane shooting powerfully into the bottom corner.
Lifelong Spurs fan Kane had already heard several renditions of “he’s one of our own” before his hat-trick but a section of the crowd chanted “we want you to stay” after his third goal”.
Kane completed his haul for the day when he followed up from close range in the 79th minute after substitute Manor Solomon’s curled shot was saved.
Postecoglou replaced the Tottenham talisman a minute later and Kane left the pitch to a standing ovation before responding with applause to all four corners of the ground.
Spurs academy graduate Dane Scarlett came on for Kane and scored with the last kick of the game.
The full-time whistle followed and Kane walked over on his own to each side of the stadium to clap the fans, with Tottenham supporters desperately hoping this low-key affair was not his last game for the club.
AFP
