A Nigerian-born Roman Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, has been found guilty by a jury in Texas, United States, for sexually assaulting women who were under his spiritual care.
Odiong, 57, was convicted on one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault following a trial in Waco, Texas. The verdict was delivered on Friday by a jury comprising eight women and four men after approximately two hours of deliberation.
During the trial, two women testified that the priest used his position of religious authority to manipulate them into sexual relationships. Prosecutors argued that Odiong exploited the trust placed in him as a spiritual adviser and targeted women during periods of emotional vulnerability.
📢 Stay Updated — Join Our WhatsApp Channel
💬 Be Part of Our WhatsApp Community
Join our WhatsApp Channel for curated updates, breaking stories, and exclusive insights from our newsroom.
📲 Join 👉 NRTC WhatsApp Channel
The court heard that he allegedly used his role as a Catholic priest to pursue inappropriate relationships with women receiving spiritual guidance from him.
Odiong, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, now faces the possibility of life imprisonment on the first-degree sexual assault count. Sentencing proceedings are scheduled to begin on Monday.
ALSO READ: Defence minister vows rescue of kidnapped teachers, pupils, other victims
According to prosecutors, the offences involved two women who told the court that the priest abused his clerical authority while counselling them through personal difficulties.
One of the accusers, identified in court records as Mary Doe, testified that her sexual relationship with Odiong began while he was providing spiritual counselling during her divorce. She further told the court that her son once walked in on the pair during intercourse at her residence.
A second accuser, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that the priest pressured her into sexual acts while presenting them as part of his spiritual guidance.
The case gained wider attention after a 2024 report by The Guardian detailed allegations of sexual misconduct and coercive behaviour involving Odiong during his ministry in Texas and Louisiana. Prosecutors said the publication of that report encouraged one of the women to report her experience to law enforcement authorities.
ALSO READ: Peter Obi names Kwankwaso as running mate for 2027 presidential election
Investigators subsequently uncovered additional evidence, including DNA linking Odiong to a child he reportedly fathered while serving in Louisiana.
Odiong, a naturalised American citizen, was ordained in Nigeria in 1993 before later serving in Catholic parishes across Texas and Louisiana. Authorities said he was suspended from ministry duties in 2019 following earlier misconduct allegations.
While the defence argued that the relationships were consensual, prosecutors maintained that the priest’s actions amounted to an abuse of power and trust stemming from his position as a member of the clergy.
🔍 Explore More
- NRTC English Knowledge Base – Learn, improve, and sharpen your English skills.
- Top Stories From Around the World – Stay informed with the latest global news and insights.
- Specially Curated Listicles – Discover interesting lists, guides, and deep dives selected for our readers.
- Stay Updated: Join our mailing list and never miss the latest articles and updates from NRTC.
