A Texas court in the United States has sentenced Nigerian-born Catholic priest Anthony Odiong to life imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting women who had sought spiritual guidance from him.
The court also imposed a total fine of $30,000 on the priest, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, following his conviction on one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault.
According to reports, the court found that Odiong exploited his position as a priest and abused the trust of women who approached him for spiritual counselling and support.
The women had reportedly sought spiritual direction from him, but the court found that he took advantage of their vulnerability for sexual gratification.
Under Texas law, members of the clergy can face criminal liability for sexual conduct involving the exploitation of a person's emotional dependence on them as a spiritual adviser.
The jury sentenced Odiong to life imprisonment for the first-degree sexual assault offence and 20 years in prison for each of the two second-degree sexual assault convictions.
However, the three sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve them at the same time rather than consecutively.
Odiong will become eligible for parole after serving 30 years in prison.
The case has drawn attention to the abuse of trust by religious leaders and the legal consequences of exploiting people who seek spiritual guidance and support.