![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")
Galatasaray have agreed to cover €9/10m as the salary of Victor Osimhen until the end of the season, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Galatasaray’s agents are currently in Naples to get the ”green light” of the current African Footballer of the Year.
The loan deal agreed with Napoli, according to Romano, does not include any buy option/obligation clause.
Osimhen’s highly anticipated summer move to Chelsea hit the rocks.
The deal fell through with only two hours left before the transfer window closed, after the Nigerian forward and the Premier League club were unable to reach an agreement.
His chances of transferring to Saudi Arabia have also faded.
Al Ahli, a prospective contender for the Nigerian striker, opted to sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney on deadline day instead.
Osimhen was also left off the Napoli squad list for the 2024/2025 Serie A season, leaving the Nigerian to seek other options.
However, he remains a Napoli player for now, but he is not part of Antonio Conte’s plans, having not featured at all for the Italian club in the opening weeks of the season.
