![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 "Anthony Odiong: Nigerian Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison over sexual assault")
Liverpool have agreed to sign Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, say a statement on the Dutch club’s website.
Gakpo, 23, had an impressive World Cup in Qatar, scoring three goals as he helped the Netherlands reach the quarter-finals.
The fee for the winger is expected to be between 40m-50m euros (£35.4m-£44.3m).
PSV say Gakpo will travel to England to complete the deal, adding that it would be a record transfer for them.
Liverpool have made a move with forwards Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Manchester United, Leeds and Southampton were linked with a move for Gakpo in the summer.
“The PSV management completed the negotiations on Boxing Day and gave Gakpo permission to travel to England,” said a statement from the Eredivisie side.
He has been in fine form this season, scoring nine goals and providing 12 assists in 14 league games for PSV.
He has also managed three goals and registered two assists in five Europa League outings.
At the World Cup, he scored in each of his country’s group games against Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar.
Defender Virgil van Dijk, a club and international team-mate, spoke glowingly about the winger during the World Cup.
“Hopefully Cody can go to the moon and back,” said Van Dijk during the tournament in Qatar. “He is a very good player and a good boy too.
“What we see in training is what you see on the pitch. There is still so much potential and I hope he can carry on showing it for us. We are very happy with him.”
