![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")
Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has challenged the club to match his ambition by signing “good” players if he is to extend his contract soon.
Hazard, 27, is out of contract in 2020 and has been linked with a move away from the club during a season in which he says the Blues have been “bad”.
Asked what would persuade him to extend his deal, Hazard said: “I’m waiting for new players next season.
“I want good players because I want to win the Premier League next season.”
Despite links with a move to Real Madrid, Hazard – who joined from Lille for a reported £32m in 2012 – insists he is “happy” at Stamford Bridge.
He says he is taking his time over a new deal as he needs to “think about a lot of things” before committing to what would likely be his last long-term contract.
READ: Chelsea Ladies complete double with league title win
Hazard scored 12 times and created six goals as Chelsea missed out on Champions League football for just the second time in 15 seasons by finishing fifth in the Premier League.
Their form has no link to doubts over manager Antonio Conte’s future according to Hazard, who instead says Saturday’s FA Cup final is key in salvaging the season.
“We’re Chelsea. we need trophies at the end of the season,” he added. “At the moment we have nothing. We have not qualified for the Champions League. So the season has been bad.
“If we can’t be in the Champions League we need the trophy.
“It’s up to us to save the season with the FA Cup. I’ve never won the FA Cup. I hope this year is for me and for Chelsea. We will give everything.”
