Nigerian Catholic Priest convicted in US for sexually assaulting women

A Nigerian-born Roman Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, has been convicted by a jury in Texas, United States, for sexually assaulting women who were under his spiritual care.
Odiong, 57, was found guilty of 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 about two hours of deliberation.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Odiong exploited his position as a Catholic priest to manipulate vulnerable women seeking spiritual guidance into sexual relationships.

Two women testified that the priest abused his clerical authority while providing them with spiritual counselling during difficult periods in their lives.

One of the victims, identified in court records as Mary Doe, told jurors that Odiong initiated a sexual relationship with her while counseling her through a divorce. She testified that her son once walked in on them during a sexual encounter at her home.

Another complainant identified as Jane Doe alleged that the priest pressured her into sexual acts under the guise of spiritual guidance.

Prosecutors maintained that the offences were committed while the women were emotionally vulnerable and relying on Odiong for spiritual support.

The case gained public attention after a 2024 investigation by The Guardian which detailed allegations of sexual misconduct and coercion against the priest during his ministry in Texas and Louisiana. Authorities said the report prompted one of the victims to approach law enforcement with additional allegations.

Investigators subsequently gathered further evidence, including DNA evidence linked to a child fathered by Odiong while he was serving in Louisiana.

Odiong, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, argued through his defence team that the relationships were consensual. However, prosecutors insisted that any such consent was undermined by the priest’s abuse of his position of authority.

A naturalised United States citizen, Odiong was ordained in Nigeria in 1993 before serving in Catholic parishes across Texas and Louisiana. He was suspended from the ministry in 2019 following earlier allegations of misconduct.

Sentencing is scheduled to begin on Monday, with the first-degree sexual assault conviction carrying a potential life sentence.