![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")
The napkin on which Barcelona agreed to sign 13-year-old Lionel Messi was sold in an auction for £762,400.
The beginning price was £300,000 for the ‘standard Spanish waxy napkin’, which measures 16.5 x 16.5cm and is laminated and framed.
The serviette, written in blue ink in December 2000, contains a vow from ex-Barcelona director Carles Rexach to sign Messi.
It was also signed by Josep Minguella, the Spanish club’s transfer adviser, and agency Horacio Gaggioli, who recommended the Argentine teenager.
On Gaggioli’s behalf, London-based Bonhams held an online auction for the blue-ink serviette.
Messi joined Barcelona a month after the purchase was agreed upon and went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, with many considering him the greatest player in history.
He made his first-team debut at the age of 16 and went on to score a club record 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona. Messi won ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona before moving to Paris St-Germain in 2021; the 36-year-old World Cup winner now plays for Inter Miami.
The serviette was signed during a meeting arranged by Rexach, who brought Messi’s father Jorge to lunch after the Messi family expressed worries about Barcelona’s lack of responsiveness following the teenager’s initial trial.
Translated into English, it reads: “In Barcelona, on December 14, 2000, and in the presence of Messrs.
“Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.”
Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, said: “Since the sale was first announced, it has captured international attention, and fans all over the world have anticipated this day.
“What a wonderful result for one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled. Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career.
“It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”
Bonhams mentioned that “allegations concerning the ownership of the napkin were raised in March but have not been substantiated and appear from recent press comments to have been retracted.”.
The auction house adds, “The consignor of the napkin has received a legal opinion that confirms to them that they have clear title and the right to sell the napkin under Spanish law, and the seller gives a full warranty of title with the sale.”
