![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")
Series A champions Napoli have rejected a lucrative €130 million bid from Al-Hilal for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
The Saudis, backed by the royal wealth fund PIF, made a hefty offer to Napoli in an attempt to capture the services of the Nigerian forward.
Their initial interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe was met with a frigid response, prompting them to look into alternative options.
Osimhen, who was instrumental in Napoli’s Scudetto-winning season last season, has piqued the interest of a number of clubs.
The Italian team won the Serie A title for the first time in over three decades, thanks in large part to Osimhen’s outstanding efforts.
According to Il Mattino via TMW, Al-Hilal approached De Laurentiis with a proposal of €130 million for the Nigerian international.
Napoli, on the other hand, quickly rebuffed the offer, stating their unwillingness to split ways with the excellent striker during the summer transfer window. Instead, Napoli is concentrating on securing Osimhen’s future at the club through the negotiation of a new long-term contract. They estimate the player’s worth at around €200 million.
Last season, the 26-year-old attacker finished as the league’s top scorer with an astonishing 26 goals in only 32 games. His outstanding performance earned him the famous Golden Boot award, making him the league’s first African player to do so.
The Saudi Pro League has experienced a major influx of European players this summer, all following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved to the league in December 2022.
