Three Sodje brothers jailed for taking charity money

Efetobore Sodje, former Super Eagles defender, has been jailed
for fraud alongside his brothers, Stephen and Bright.

The Sodje brothers were found guilty of siphoning money from
their family charity, the Sodje Sports Foundation (SSF).

According to a National Crime Agency investigation, the brothers
siphoned over £60,000 given to the foundation.

The Sodjes were said to have been jailed in September 2018.

Efe, face of the charity, was given 18 months jail term, Bright
was jailed for 21 months and Stephen got two years and six months
as his prison sentence.

Michael Topolski, the judge, said: “All three of these
defendants in various ways exploited their own and their families’
reputation, not only for the benefit of the poor children of the
Niger valley but also for their own benefit.

“In this case, the defendants were all well known and respected
men, particularly in the world of football and sport both here and
in Africa.

“One had the honour of playing for his country in the World Cup
final.

“I have no doubt to some extent at least it was that form of
respect that made it possible or more likely that their fans and
admirers would make donations to the charity that had been formed
by them in their name.”

The judge said any good works done in the past would be “forever
tainted by their dishonest and disreputable conduct”.

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, while Bright Sodje played professional rugby in the
1980s and 1990s.

Efe, Bright and Stephen Sodje set up SSF in 2009 with the stated
aim of helping poor children in the Niger Delta.o Britain to be
interviewed but a European Arrest Warrant has now been issued.