Nigerian-Born Catholic Priest Convicted in US for Sexual Assault of Women Under His Spiritual Care

Akahi News reports that a Nigerian-born Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, has been convicted by a jury in Texas, United States, for sexually assaulting women who were under his spiritual care. Akahi News gathered that the 57-year-old cleric, a naturalised US citizen who was ordained in Nigeria in 1993, now faces the possibility of life imprisonment.

The verdict was delivered after a trial in Waco, Texas, where a jury of eight women and four men took about two hours of deliberation on Friday to find Odiong guilty. He was convicted on one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault. The case has sent shockwaves through Catholic communities both in the United States and in Nigeria, where Odiong began his priestly journey. How did a man ordained to serve God end up in chains? That is the question haunting the faithful.

The Victims’ Testimonies: Manipulation Under the Guise of Spiritual Guidance

The two women at the centre of the second-degree assault charges – identified as Mary Doe and Jane Doe – testified during the trial, which began on Tuesday. Akahi News learnt that both women described a pattern of manipulation and coercion by Odiong, who used his position as a priest to pressure them into sexual relationships.

Mary Doe told the jury that Odiong began a sexual relationship with her while providing spiritual counselling during a difficult divorce. That is a particularly vulnerable moment for anyone seeking pastoral care. Instead of finding solace, Mary found exploitation. She further testified that her son once walked in on her and Odiong during sexual intercourse at her home. The shame and trauma of that moment cannot be overstated.

Jane Doe, the second woman, told the jury that Odiong pressured her into sexual acts under the pretext of spiritual guidance. Prosecutors argued that Odiong abused his clerical authority during periods of what they called “emotional vulnerability.” Akahi News had earlier reported that cases of clergy sexual abuse often follow a similar pattern: trust is built, boundaries are blurred, and then broken. The victim, who has been taught to revere the priest, finds it difficult to resist or report.

Odiong pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyers argued during the trial that the relationships with the women were consensual. But prosecutors maintained that consent obtained through the abuse of spiritual authority is not true consent. The jury agreed.

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The Case That Almost Was: A Third Accuser Fails to Appear

Odiong had initially been charged with first-degree sexual assault of a third woman. However, prosecutors Ryan Calvert and Liz Buice dismissed that aspect of the case after the woman – said to be in an “extremely emotionally fragile” state – failed to show up for her expected appearance on the witness stand. Akahi News gathered that the prosecution opted against essentially tracking her down because of what they termed her “extremely tenuous” emotional condition.

That decision speaks volumes. It suggests that the woman’s mental health was so fragile that forcing her to testify could have caused further harm. In cases of sexual assault, victims often suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The courage it takes to stand before a jury and relive the trauma cannot be underestimated. That this woman could not face the court is not a reflection on her credibility. It is a reflection of the lasting damage caused by abuse.

The first-degree charge that was dismissed carried the most severe penalty. But even without it, Odiong still faces devastating consequences. He was convicted on one count of first-degree sexual assault from the remaining allegations, and two counts of second-degree sexual assault. That first-degree conviction alone could lead to life imprisonment.

How the Case Came to Light: A Guardian Report and DNA Evidence

The trial began after a 2024 report by The Guardian UK, which first documented allegations of sexual misconduct and coercion against the priest during his ministry in Texas and Louisiana. Akahi News learnt that prosecutors said the report prompted one of the victims to come forward to police with further allegations.

Investigators later gathered additional evidence, including DNA linked to a child reportedly fathered by Odiong during his time in Louisiana. That detail is particularly damning. It suggests that the abuse was not limited to isolated incidents but had reproductive consequences. The child, now growing up, may one day have to confront the circumstances of their conception.

Authorities said Odiong had been suspended from the ministry in 2019 following earlier allegations of misconduct. But suspension is not prosecution. For years, he was apparently free to move, live, and perhaps continue his pattern of behaviour. The question that lingers is: what took so long? How many women had to suffer before the law caught up with him?

Akahi News had earlier reported on other cases of clergy sexual abuse both in Nigeria and abroad. The pattern is painfully familiar: powerful men in religious robes use their positions to exploit the vulnerable. And the church, too often, prioritises its reputation over the safety of its flock.

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Sentencing: Life in Prison Possible

Odiong will face the same jury for his sentencing phase, which is billed to begin on Monday. According to reports, the convicted priest could face life imprisonment on the first-degree charge. The second-degree charges could carry sentences ranging from two to 20 years in prison. Akahi News gathered that the jury will have the discretion to determine the length of the sentence based on the evidence presented and the severity of the crimes.

For the victims, the conviction is a form of justice. But justice does not erase trauma. Mary and Jane will likely carry the scars of what Odiong did to them for the rest of their lives. And the third woman, too fragile to testify, may never see her day in court. That is the tragic reality of sexual assault cases. The perpetrator may go to prison, but the victims never truly go free.

For the Catholic Church, this case is another stain on its already tarnished record. The church has faced decades of scandal involving priests who abused children and adults. Pope Francis has spoken repeatedly about the need for accountability. Yet cases like Odiong’s continue to surface. It raises a painful question: has the church truly learned anything?

What This Means for Nigerians

Odiong was ordained in Nigeria in 1993. He is a product of the Nigerian Catholic Church. Akahi News believes that while the crimes occurred in the United States, the Nigerian church must also examine itself. Are seminaries properly screening candidates for the priesthood? Are there mechanisms in place to identify and stop predatory behaviour before it escalates? These are not comfortable questions, but they are necessary.

The vast majority of Nigerian priests are dedicated, honourable men who serve God and their communities selflessly. But the few who abuse their power bring shame upon the entire institution. The church must do more than condemn. It must investigate. It must report. It must protect.

As Odiong awaits his sentencing, Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora are watching. Some are praying for his soul. Others are praying for his victims. And many are simply asking: when will the church finally clean its house?

Akahi News will continue to follow this case as sentencing unfolds. For now, justice has spoken. Anthony Odiong has been convicted. But for the women he abused, the healing has only just begun.