HighlightSports

Former Super Eagles Star Efe Sodje, two brothers jailed for taking charity money

676

The Sodje sporting family siphoned off cash from their own charity set up to help African children,  media outlets in Britain are reporting.

Former Super Eagles star Efe Sodje, 46, and Stephen Sodje, 43, and ex-rugby player Bright Sodje, 52, were found guilty and jailed for the fraud in 2017.

Per Second News gathered that the trio came to Nigeria in December for their mum’s funeral in Warri, Delta state

The case can only be reported now following the conclusion of a separate trial involving former Reading and Nigeria footballer Sam Sodje, 39.

Earlier on Monday, he was cleared at the Old Bailey of money laundering.

The fraud trial in 2017 had heard how the family set up the Sodje Sports Foundation (SSF) in 2009, ostensibly to help provide facilities in Nigeria.

 

Bright, Stephen and Efe Sodje

However, cash raised at black-tie dinners, auctions, charity football matches and a clay pigeon shoot went into Sodje bank accounts, prosecutor Julian Christopher QC said.

In once instance, in 2011, there was a gala dinner at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester for the SSF and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The £150-a-head black-tie event raised almost £11,500, but Mr Christopher said “not a penny” went to the hospital.

Efe SodjeImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionRetired footballer Efe Sodje was described as “the face of the charity” by the judge

 

Judge Michael Topolski QC told the defendants: “You have brought shame upon yourselves and your family, according to the BBC.

He said “at least £63,000 can be shown to have been received by the fund”, and added that this did not include cash donations.

The defendants “went out of their way” to ensure that proper records were not kept, he said.

Any good works done in the past would be “forever tainted by their dishonest and disreputable conduct”, he added.

Stephen Sodje, of Bexley, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for receiving £30,000 in charity funds.

Efe Sodje, of Cheadle in Greater Manchester, who was “the face” of the charity, was given 18 months in jail for receiving £7,500 from the SSF and an unknown amount from a clay pigeon shooting event.

Bright Sodje, of Sale in Greater Manchester, was jailed for 21 months for receiving £3,000 from the charity and signing cheques to other family members totalling £18,000.

‘Misused privileged position’

The Charity Commission worked with the National Crime Agency to secure the prosecution.

Tracy Howarth, the commission’s head of regulatory compliance, said the defendants had “misused their privileged position to exploit donors and supporters, and their financial gain came at the expense of the children and causes the charity was supposed to support”.

She added: “The outcome of this case sends a strong message that the deliberate, wilful and cynical abuse of charity for private financial gain will be investigated and will not go unpunished.”

Reporting restrictions meant the brothers’ convictions could only be reported following the conclusion of the separate money-laundering case.

Sam SodjeImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionFormer Reading and Nigeria defender Sam Sodje was cleared of money-laundering charges

Efe Sodje was cleared of money laundering at the Old Bailey in January 2018 but Emmanuel Ehikhamen, 53, of south-east London, and Andrew Oruma, 50, of Bexley, south London, were convicted.

The case against Sam Sodje collapsed and his retrial began on 7 January 2019.

Mr Sodje, who also played for Charlton Athletic, Brentford and Leeds United during his career, was charged with four counts of taking part in a fraud in which bank accounts were used to channel money from companies around the world.

He was found not guilty of two of the charges on 14 January and cleared of the remaining two counts earlier on Monday.

Another of the brothers, Akpo Sodje, 37, moved to Dubai and refused to return to Britain for questioning.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

NASS Gives Awards to NPA for Outstanding Transparency Practices

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has received a special recognition award from...

Rema Boldly Claims His Spot as the Future of Afrobeats

Nigerian global music sensation Rema has boldly proclaimed himself “the future” and...

Presidency Denies Cancelling 5-Year Multiple-Entry Visas for US Citizens

The Presidency has denied reports claiming that President Bola Tinubu cancelled the...

Senate Strips Akpoti-Uduaghan of Committee Chair Over Alleged Misconduct

Respite remains elusive for embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following Senate President Godswill...

Supreme Court Ruling: Okpebholo Celebrates, Ighodalo Alleges Injustice

…history will be the final arbiter – Ighodalo Sen. Monday Okpebholo has...

NOC Invites Nigerians to Olympic Marathon Walk July 12

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) President, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, has extended...

Southern Governors Hail Okpebholo’s Supreme Court’s Victory

Ogun Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF), Dapo Abiodun,...

Updated: Supreme Court dismisses Ighodalo’s appeal as lacking merit, upholds Okpebholo’s election

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed as lacking merit an appeal filed...

Inter Miami Wins 2-1 with Messi’s Historic Brace

By Samuel Akpan/agency report Lionel Messi once again showcased his legendary talent,...

Senate to FG: Stop enriching DISCOs with public funds

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to overhaul its power...

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Gets Boost: FG Secures $747m Loan

The Federal Government says it has successfully secured a $747 million loan...

PSG Overpower Real Madrid 4-0 in Club World Cup Semifinal

By Samuel Akpan/agency report Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) produced a stunning performance to...

PSN Newsrun: FG Targets $32.8bn Power Reform to Boost Access, Clear Debts by 2030

The FG has announced a $32.8bn power reform plan to expand access,...

Updated: Ganduje Takes the Helm at FAAN Board, Seven Others Inaugurated As Members

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the immediate past National Chairman of the ruling...

FCTA Unveils Crackdown on One-Chance Syndicates, Scavengers in Abuja Clean-Up Initiative

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has ordered...

FG launches reconstruction of Eastern rail line – NRC

The Eastern railway corridor is set for a revival as the Nigerian...

Presidency slams IMF, says report on inflation, poverty can instigate people against govt.

The Presidency has criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for what it...

Chelsea 2-0 Fluminense: Pedro Shines as Blues Cruise into Club World Cup Final

By Samuel Akpan with agency report Joao Pedro was the star of...

Plot to “Overthrow” Tinubu Govt: Presidential Aide Onanuga Raises Alarm

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information...

“One-chance” robberies, vandalizm: FCT Police step up stop-and-search operations

In response to recent security concerns and an increase in criminal activity...