![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?")
Arsene Wenger says assistant Manchester City manager Mikel Arteta has “all of the qualities” needed to succeed him as Arsenal manager.
Former captain Arteta is among the candidates to replace Wenger, who left at the end of the season after 22 years in charge.
Spaniard Arteta, 36, played 150 games for Arsenal and is currently a coach at champions Manchester City.
“He was a leader, has a good passion for the game, knows the club and knows what is important at the club,” Wenger said.
Arteta, who has never managed a team, took up a role at City under manager Pep Guardiola in 2016.
Wenger, 68, said: “Overall he has the qualities but I don’t want to influence that publicly.
READ: Nigeria remains 47th on FIFA rankings ahead of World Cup
“I believe it is important they make their choice in object way and after made that decision I will support him.”
Arsenal have also contacted another former captain, Patrick Vieira, as part of the process to replace Wenger.
They remain confident of naming a successor before the World Cup begins on 14 June.
Wenger said he has not decided whether his next job will be as a manager or at boardroom level, having previously said he will continue to work in football following his Arsenal departure.
He also said it would be “difficult” to manage another team in England because of his time at Arsenal.
“The Premier League is the most attractive place to be, but managing in different cultures and environments is something that is very interesting,” he said.
