Efe Sodje, brothers jailed in UK for charity fraud

Former Nigerian defender, Efe Sodje and brothers, Stephen and Bright Sodje, were found guilty and jailed for fraud in 2017.

The case is only being reported now after the conclusion of a separate trial involving ex-Reading footballer, Sam Sodje, who was cleared on Monday of money laundering.

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

Instead, cash raised at black-tie dinners, auctions, charity football matches and a clay pigeon shoot went into Sodje bank accounts.

Retired footballer, Efe Sodje, was described as the face of the charity.

The judge said, “You have brought shame upon yourselves and your family.”

He continued, “At least £63,000 can be shown to have been received by the fund”, adding that this did not include cash donations.

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

Efe Sodje 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 was jailed for 21 months for receiving £3,000 from the charity and signing cheques to other family members totalling £18,000.

Another of the brothers, Akpo Sodje, wanted in connection to the fraud, moved to Dubai and refused to return to Britain for questioning, a European arrest warrant has now been issued for him.

Efe Sodje played in the Football League between 1995 and 2015 and appeared for Nigeria in the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 2002 World Cup.

Bright Sodje played professional rugby league and union in the 1980s and 1990s.