![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")
Three-time African Cup of Nations champions, Nigeria failed to secure the fourth title as Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro’s contract ended after the AFCON tournament.
The Portuguese tactician led the Super Eagles in memorable top-flight games in the just-concluded tournament as host Ivory Coast beat Nigeria to emerge as 2013 AFCON champions with a 2-1 victory on Sunday.
Adepoju Tobi, accredited FIFA and CAF photo journalists, revealed that “sources inside the Super Eagles camp are suggesting a lot of players are considering retirement.
He disclosed that “Jose Peseiro’s contract also ends with the AFCON.
Tobi suggested that “this is the time for the NFF to engage the players and create the atmosphere that they are loved, and the AFCON setback is not the end of life; we can continue working and win in 2025.
“Yes, some players are due for retirement, and those due for retirement will make an announcement in the next few weeks, but the names my sources told me should still be in the team for next year’s AFCON and 2026 World Cup, players below 30.
“On Peseiro, we have been here before, sacking and changing coaches, and we have managed just one AFCON final since 2013.
“Peseiro should get a contract extension, this time a long-term contract that will show a sign of respect for the manager. For a two-year contract that will cover the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup (qualifiers and tournaments), clauses of termination should be based on performance and results.
“I understand the fact that the NFF can’t afford to pay the Portuguese, and the Federal Government should step in and assist the Federation.
“I’m aware some ex-internationals met with top football stakeholders and government officials before the AFCON and suggested a domestic coach with Emmanuel Amunike leading the list, but this is not the time to make that change. We should learn from our previous mistakes; a silver finish at the AFCON should be complemented and not discarded.
‘We will wait and see how the NFF will manage post-AFCON issues with the players and the coach; they must be deliberate about continuity, review the mistakes, and set up a mechanism to get better.”
Chronicle NG reports that the Super Eagles are now second-place winners for the fifth time in the AFCON tournament.
