₦airaland Forum

[size=14pt]BREAKING: Supreme Court upturns Lagos High Court conviction of Bode George[/size]

By Wale Odunsi on December 13, 2013

@waleodunsi

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Friday morning quashed the conviction of a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Bode George by a Lagos High Court.

The apex court, in discharging and acquitting George, stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had no evidence that he committed fraud at the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) as alleged.

According to the judges led by John Afolabi Fabiyi JSC, the charges of “contract splitting” filed against George was unknown to the law.


The judgement, which no doubt will raise more dust from anti-corruption activists and Nigerians, was not unexpected as the politician himself once said his conviction would be overruled.

[size=14pt]Supreme Court Quashes Corruption Conviction Of PDP Chieftain Bode George[/size]

December 13, 2013 - 09:37 — siteadmin

https://mobile.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/news-page-images-480-wide/page_images/news/2013/Bode_George_2.jpg
Bode George


Two days after former President Olusegun Obasanjo accused President Goodluck Jonathan of condoning corruption, a panel of judges at the Supreme Court of Nigeria today quashed the conviction handed Bode George a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain earlier jailed for corruption by a Lagos High Court.

 The court discharged and acquitted Mr. George claiming that prosecutors at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had no evidence of Mr. George's intention to commit fraud at the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) where as chairman of the NPA board he was caught presiding over a contract bazaar the bled the nation of Nigeria.

 A panel of judges headed by a controversial judge, John Afolabi Fabiyi JSC, ruled that the charges of "contract splitting" upon which Mr. George was convicted is unknown to law.

 The pattern of today's quashing of George's conviction was similar to that of a Lagos Court of Appeal ruling which similarly quashed a death sentence conviction of Major Hamza Al Mustapha's for the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in 1994. In Lagos, a panel of Court of Appeal cleared former Chief Security Officer of late maximum dictator, Sanni Abacha Mustapha of murder charges under controversial circumstances. Al Mustapha later wrote a letter thanking President Jonathan for arranging his judicial pardon.

 Al Mustapha case was handled by the same lawyer, former president of the Nigeria Bar Association , Joseph B Daudu was Al Mustapha's lawyer in the Lagos case. Mr. Daudu, a senior advocate of Nigeria, also played a lead role in securing Mr. George's freedom today.

 Since leaving prison a few years ago, Mr. George had been closely linked to President Jonathan, even sometimes openly bragging that his conviction will be upturned.

deols: Just expressing this as an attempt to neutralise the 'outrage' on his 'non-sad' mood, taking pix with that Danish PM like they were at a party, etc as carried by some US dailies.

prymesolution: [img]http://2.bp..com/-wnxOc7N7p2w/Uqk5mWTPVpI/AAAAAAAADjg/OMY0fkab9BU/s576/obama-selfie.JPG[/img]

The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is true. However, we don't realize is that those 'thousand words' may be true or completely false. So we should be careful about the assumptions we make based on a photo. Sometimes it's just not what it seem.

That's the case of the Obama selfie photos taken at Nelson Mandela's memorial service held on Tuesday, December 10, 2013. Of everything that happened at the event, the 'most important' news that made headline on various media outlets was President Barack Obama taking a selfie with UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt while first lady Michelle Obama seemed peeved as the three leaders took the picture.

Roberto Schmidt, the photographer who took the viral shot posted this article online regarding media obsession with the pictures:

So here’s the photo, my photo, which quickly lit up the world’s social networks and news websites. The “selfie” of three world leaders who, during South Africa’s farewell to Nelson Mandela, were messing about like kids instead of behaving with the mournful gravitas one might expect.

In general on this blog, photojournalists tell the story behind a picture they’ve taken. I’ve done this for images from Pakistan, and India, where I am based. And here I am again, but this time the picture comes from a stadium in Soweto, and shows people taking a photo of themselves. I guess it’s a sign of our times that somehow this image seemed to get more attention than the event itself. Go figure.

[...] So Obama took his place amid these leaders who’d gathered from all corners of the globe. Among them was British Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as a woman who I wasn’t able to immediately identify. I later learned it was the Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt. I’m a German-Colombian based in India, so I don’t feel too bad I didn’t recognize her! At the time, I thought it must have been one of Obama’s many staffers.

Anyway, suddenly this woman pulled out her mobile phone and took a photo of herself smiling with Cameron and the US president. I captured the scene reflexively. All around me in the stadium, South Africans were dancing, singing and laughing to honor their departed leader. It was more like a carnival atmosphere, not at all morbid. The ceremony had already gone on for two hours and would last another two. The atmosphere was totally relaxed – I didn’t see anything shocking in my viewfinder, president of the US or not. We are in Africa.

I later read on social media that Michelle Obama seemed to be rather peeved on seeing the Danish prime minister take the picture. But photos can lie. In reality, just a few seconds earlier the first lady was herself joking with those around her, Cameron and Schmidt included. Her stern look was captured by chance.

I took these photos totally spontaneously, without thinking about what impact they might have. At the time, I thought the world leaders were simply acting like human beings, like me and you. I doubt anyone could have remained totally stony faced for the duration of the ceremony, while tens of thousands of people were celebrating in the stadium. For me, the behavior of these leaders in snapping a selfie seems perfectly natural.

I see nothing to complain about, and probably would have done the same in their place. The AFP team worked hard to display the reaction that South African people had for the passing of someone they consider as a father. We moved about 500 pictures, trying to portray their true feelings, and this seemingly trivial image seems to have eclipsed much of this collective work.

It was interesting to see politicians in a human light because usually when we see them it is in such a controlled environment. Maybe this would not be such an issue if we, as the press, would have more access to dignitaries and be able to show they are human as the rest of us.

I confess too that it makes me a little sad we are so obsessed with day-to-day trivialities, instead of things of true importance. - Richard Schmidt | AFP

See more pictures and other Obama-Michelle moments that never really got talked about.

deols: All of these dont change Obama's funeral faux pas.

[size=14pt]8 Photos You Didn't See From Obama's Trip to South Africa[/size]

Nina Ippolito | 13 hours ago | 69 Comments

On Tuesday, conservative news outlets in the United States decided that the best way to commemorate the life of Nelson Mandela, and to report on the memorial services in his honor, was to manufacture a controversy about an AFP photo of President Barack Obama shooting a selfie with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt. According to Fox News, the “international incident” was so bad that, “The tsk-tisk-ing could be heard across continents.”

Liberal news outlets countered with a photograph from former President George W. Bush’s Instagram feed, taken at the same memorial, in which he’s seen posing with pop star Bono.

Two things were lost amid the nonsensical partisan wrangling. First, the furor shamefully overshadowed the memorial service itself, and the heartfelt messages that were delivered by Mandela’s family and colleagues. Second, such outcries overlook the close quarters in which our Democratic and Republican politicians actually live and work.

Candid images from White House photographer Pete Souza tell another story.

1.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/1462705_1s3_jpg8d520c9c58826f0cafd55cd56dd80f63
Via: Pete Souza

Looking at the individual AFP and Instagram shots, you would have no idea that Obama and Bush traveled to South Africa together on Air Force One.


2.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/1462706_1s32_jpgc2f74ff447fd09bf13c72a117bf92a00
Via Pete Souza

You would miss the fact that they and their wives dined together on the plane ...

3.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/1462707_1s34_jpgcc7c96e18c793402d412d7bfc545aa26

Via: Pete Souza

... or that Bush dazzled Michelle Obama and a smiling Hillary Clinton with photos of his recent paintings.

4.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/1462708_1s35_jpg0d0f5cab0ae415cee45ec26b7bc58008
Via Pete Souza

You wouldn't see that Obama managed to sneak in his own photo op with Bono ...

5.

http://instagram.com/p/hvrQdBAmz5/

... or that the Bushes and Clintons spent the day together at FNB Stadium.

6.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/1462710_1s36_jpg55811d20852a6691b9d6b2d6f4cfd7f8
Via Pete Souza

It’s almost as if photographers go out of their way to present isolated images of political figures ...

7.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/1462711_1s37_jpg257eb41aa30a31fce4e6ed10a3f894ee

... when in reality, politicians spend their days surrounded by people ...

8.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/1462712_1s39_jpg21ccb9d96fa59f6684ae05ee5b7f7cc5

... and by political adversaries and allies alike. 

Perhaps, instead of giving in to the frantic us-or-them discourse proffered by the media (Funeral selfies! Handshakes! Ted Cruz!), it's time that we acknowledge that conservative and liberal politicians spend more time together, and have more in common with one another, than we’d like to believe.

naptu2: SOSOLISO PLANE CRASH.

1) Lack of a weather warning system. The plane tried to land while a massive storm was lashing the area.

2) The runway lights were off because of a power cut. There was no electricity generator at the airport.

3) The pilot tried to land, but was unable to see the runway, so he decided to go around. The missed approach procedure was carried out incorrectly, and the aircraft struck the ground approximately 70 meters left of the runway. It collided heavily with a concrete drainage culvert, disintegrated and caught fire.

4) Many passengers survived the initial impact, but were killed by the fire. There was only one fire truck at the airport. There was no water.

5) There were no ambulances at the airport.

6) Unauthorised people were allowed on the tarmac after the crash.

Ola Johnson: Orlando Owoh is dead. He died in November 2008.

[size=14pt]Campbell arrested in match-fixing probe[/size]

09 Dec 2013 12:08:56

https://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/68524000/jpg/_68524093_pa-15868633.jpg


Former English Premier League striker DJ Campbell has been arrested as part of a match-fixing investigation, his club Blackburn Rovers said on Monday.

"Following reports in today's national media, Blackburn Rovers can confirm that striker DJ Campbell has been arrested," the Championship (second division) club said in a statement.

"The club will be making no further comment on what is now an ongoing legal matter."

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said on Sunday it had launched a second probe into alleged match-fixing in English soccer after a Sunday newspaper claimed a player told an undercover reporter he could guarantee certain events in a Championship match.

The NCA confirmed on Sunday that six people had been arrested following the Sun on Sunday investigation.

Striker Campbell, 32, played for Blackpool and Queen's Park Rangers in the Premier League before joining Blackburn in July.

The Sun on Sunday said it had evidence of a player saying he arranged a booking in a recent Championship match in which another received a 30 000 pounds payment for getting a yellow card.

The same player allegedly boasted he could also "rig" Premier League games.

In a separate match-fixing investigation, four people have been charged, including two players from an English sixth tier semi-professional team, in connection with an alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22 and from Whitehawk FC in Brighton, along with Chann Sankaran, a 33-year-old Singapore national, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, a 43-year-old with dual UK and Singapore nationality, were charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law.

andyanders: Same never played for Nigeria. He is a UK citizen born and brought up in England. Only his brother Efe is a Nigeria.Let them deal with him as a UK citizen and not mention Nigeria.

If he had taken Nigerian citizenship, he wouldn't have been involved with match fixing.

[size=14pt]Match fixing: Former Portsmouth star Sam Sodje and brother arrested in dawn swoop[/size]

08 December 2013 06:10 PM

By Martin Fricker, David Collins

The arrests came after Sodje, 34, was filmed claiming he could arrange for players to pick up yellow cards in exchange for cash

A former Premier League star was arrested in a dawn swoop today over shock match-fixing claims.

Ex-Portsmouth star Sam Sodje and his brother Stephen were held by cops investigating football corruption.

The arrests came after Sodje, 34, was filmed claiming he could arrange for players to pick up yellow cards in exchange for cash.

Nigeria-born Sodje demanded £30,000 for a booking and £50,000 for a player to get a red card during a match.

He even claimed he punched a player in the groin during a match to be deliberately sent off - and pick up a £70,000 bung.

The former Reading and Brentford defender also boasted that he could rig Premier League and World Cup games.

He said some African players could be easily tempted because they do not get paid much to represent their national teams.

The brothers were arrested by detectives from the National Crime Agency at their homes in Abbeywood, south London.

Cops were seen carrying away evidence, including a desktop computer, from Stephen’s £120,000 home.

Oldham Athletic star Cristian Montano, 21, was also filmed discussing match-fixing in the sting.

He was caught on tape apologising for failing to pick up a booking for cash during a game.

Another of Sodje’s brothers, Akpo, 33, who plays for Tranmere Rovers, was also captured discussing spot-fixing.

A third man was arrested in connection with the case today but police refused to reveal if it was Montano or Akpo.

Sodje told an undercover investigator that he had “sorted” one former Premier League player to deliberately pick up a booking.

He said the star, who cannot be named, received £30,000 in exchange for the yellow card during a Championship match.

“This guy came to meet me at my house and it was sorted,” boasted the former Nigeria international.

“That’s how easy it is - it’s nothing. The booking one is easy. You just push someone, swear at the referee, kick the ball away.

“A yellow card is a standard thing. No one would even be suspicious.”

Sodje allegedly demanded a Rolex watch and a Range Rover for acting as “fixer” for the dodgy deal.

He said he picked up £70,000 after deliberately getting sent off while playing for Portsmouth earlier this year.

The player received a red card after punching Oldham’s Jose Baxter twice in the crotch.

Sodje also claimed he could rig Premier League games and had discussed match-fixing with several top names.

Montano was filmed apologising to Sodje after failing to get booked in the first half of a clash between Oldham and Wolves.

An NCA spokeswoman confirmed the arrests and said they were working closely with the FA and Gambling Commission.

“Three people are in custody and are being questioned by NCA officers,” she said. “We cannot comment further at this stage.”

Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “We treat any allegations of criminal activity with the utmost seriousness.

“Given that there is an ongoing police investigation into this matter, we cannot comment further at this time.

“Although, we would encourage anyone with any evidence to report it to the police.

“We will be giving our full assistance to the police during their investigation.”

In a statement, the Football Association said: “The FA is aware of the National Crime Agency investigation.

“We are working closely with the NCA and other authorities. We will make no further comment at this time.”

A Gambling Commission spokesman said it was “supporting” the ongoing NCA investigation.

Illegal betting syndicates are worth an estimated £320 billion - fuelled by ‘in-game’ betting.

The majority of revenues are generated in Asia, where the gambling industry is unregulated.

The NCA is already carrying out a separate investigation into an alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22, were charged last week with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law.

The pair, who played for Conference South club Whitehawk FC, were dismissed by their club and will appear in court on Wednesday.

Chann Sankaran, 33, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, were charged last month with plotting to defraud bookmakers.

Portsmouth FC said today they would co-operate with police and league officials if contacted.

Spokesman Colin Farmery said: “If these serious allegations are true then we are extremely shocked and saddened by them.

“Match-fixing of any type goes to the heart of the integrity of the game.

“The player in question no longer plays for the club and we have not been contacted by the authorities, but of course we would cooperate fully with any inquiry.”

Guy Whittingham, who was manager of Portsmouth at the time, said the claims brought back memories of the match in which Sam Sodje was sent off.

He said: “Sam came racing over - and I didn’t actually see the incident at the time itself - but then you see it in the cold light of day afterwards and you see what he’s done and you can’t fathom out why he’s done it.”

Oldham Athletic said it would be launching an “immediate internal investigation” into the claims surrounding Montano.

“The club is co-operating with other agencies in this matter and cannot comment on specific facts,” it added in a statement.

Oldham’s former player and manager Andy Ritchie said: “I’m dismayed. I know they are only allegations but I feel if they proven, and it remains to seen they will be, it will be very disappointing.

“We are fully co-operating with the investigation.

“If something like this is happening it is terrible. You are letting your team-mates down, your team down. It could cost a club a place in the league.

“I believe and I hope football is a game of integrity.”

funshybam: ..wait...but....did anyone care enough to understand that they were tortured and probably "confessed" under duress....maybe due to the pains?

deols: There are many of this kind of letter. I will search and if I find them, post them here. It is inherently a part of Islam to protect people of other faith found in Islamic territory.

I believe what we see now in the form of intolerance from some Muslims stem from the crusade(killings by the christians.).

Muslims who would not see beyond vengeance decided to take up arms against those whom they see to have wronged them. This certain belief grew into the different terror organisations that exist now. I just wish they can all see this aspect of Islam and realise they are very wrong.

[size=14pt]Six people held by police over football fixing claims[/size]

8 December 2013 Last updated at 19:23


Six people are in police custody after an ex-Portsmouth player told an undercover reporter he had been involved in fixing football matches.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/200/media/images/71612000/jpg/_71612047_sam_sodje.jpg
Former Nigerian international Sam Sodje was filmed by an undercover reporter

Sam Sodje was filmed by the Sun on Sunday describing how he punched an opponent in a League One game to get a red card in exchange for £70,000.

He also said he arranged for another player to be paid £30,000 for getting a yellow card in a Championship match.

Portsmouth Football Club said it was "shocked and saddened" by the claims.

The six people being held have not been named.

In the video, which was filmed secretly, Mr Sodje also claimed he could rig Premier League games and was prepared to fix matches at next year's World Cup.

Sending off

In a statement from Portsmouth Football Club, spokesman Colin Farmery said: "If these serious allegations are true then we are extremely shocked and saddened by them, as match-fixing of any type goes to the heart of the integrity of the game.

"The player in question no longer plays for the club and we have not been contacted by the authorities, but of course we would co-operate fully with any inquiry."

Mr Sodje was sent off in the 50th minute of a League One match while playing for Portsmouth against Oldham Athletic on 23 February.

The Sun on Sunday also reported that an Oldham player, Cristian Montano, apologised to Mr Sodje after failing to get a yellow card in the first half of a match against Wolves on 22 October.

And it reported that Mr Sodje's brother Akpo, a striker at Tranmere Rovers, had said he would be prepared to be paid to be booked.

Oldham Athletic said in a statement: "Oldham Athletic Football Club has been made aware of the incident and allegation surrounding one of its players, Cristian Montano. The club will commence an immediate internal investigation to establish all the relevant facts of the case.

"The club is co-operating with other agencies in this matter and cannot comment on specific facts at this stage. The club will not be issuing any further statements at this time."

Tranmere Rovers FC said: "Tranmere Rovers Football Club are aware of Sunday newspaper allegations regarding Akpo Sodje. As this is an ongoing investigation the club will make no further comment at this time."

The National Crime Agency, which is investigating the claims, said: "We can confirm that the Sun on Sunday has passed material from its own investigation to the NCA.

"An active NCA investigation is now under way and we are working closely with the Football Association and the Gambling Commission. Six people are in custody and are being questioned by NCA officers. We cannot comment further at this stage."

'Dismay'

The Football League said it took claims of criminal activity "extremely seriously" and would assist police.

Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey encouraged anyone with any evidence to report it to the police.

Mr Harvey added: "We treat any allegations of criminal activity in our competitions with the utmost seriousness. We will be giving our full assistance to the police during their investigation."

The Gambling Commission and the Football Association both said they were aware of the investigation and were working with the NCA.

Guy Whittingham, who was manager of Portsmouth at the time, said the claims brought back memories of the match in which Sam Sodje was sent off.

He said: "Sam came racing over - and I didn't actually see the incident at the time itself - but then you see it in the cold light of day afterwards and you see what he's done and you can't fathom out why he's done it."

Former Oldham player and manager Andy Ritchie told BBC News he was "dismayed" at the allegations.

He said: "They are only allegations at the moment but if you're sent off in a game you're letting your players down, you're letting the team down because more often than not 10 men lose a game of football.

"If you're in a tough situation, maybe a relegation dogfight, you could lose those three points - that could cost you a place in that league."

Betting syndicate

The Professional Footballers' Association said in a statement: "The PFA is aware of the reports in today's media regarding allegations of 'match fixing' and other related activity.

"These allegations, if proven, unfortunately demonstrate the real issue football faces in terms of corruption and highlights the necessity of the work carried out by the PFA and other stakeholders in the game in educating players of these risks.

"We take the issue of integrity very seriously and will continue in our efforts to eradicate this evil from our game."

In a separate NCA investigation into an alleged international betting syndicate, two non-league footballers were earlier this week charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22, play for Whitehawk FC, based in Brighton, in the Conference South.

Two other men, Singapore national Chann Sankaran, 33, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, who has dual UK and Singapore nationality, were charged with conspiracy to defraud in November.

The pair have been bailed and are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 11 December.

Tolexander: where is gonna be the venue for the match in march?

[size=14pt]Two Conference South footballers - Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun - sacked by club over match-fixing[/size]

By Telegraph Sport, and agencies

11:03AM GMT 07 Dec 2013

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22, were charged this week with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law

Two Conference South footballers have been sacked by their club following The Telegraph's match-fixing investigation.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22, were charged this week with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law.

https://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02758/boateng_2758773e.jpg
Sacked: Michael Boateng has been charged with conspiracy to defraud

Picture: EMPICS SPORT


The National Crime Agency said the Crown Prosecution Service's organised crime division was satisfied that it was in the public interest to authorise the charges.

Boateng and Adelakun's club, Whitehawk FC in Brighton, said the pair have now been "dismissed with immediate effect" following an emergency board meeting.

In a statement, Whitehawk FC said: "The club was aware that these two players, namely Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, were being investigated last week, at which time the club took immediate steps to suspend them pending the outcome of investigation by the police.

"In light of recent decisions by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service, the club can now confirm, after an emergency meeting of the board (on Friday December 6), that the two players have been dismissed with immediate effect for bringing the club into disrepute."

The board of directors called on the club's supporters and sponsors to rally round the players and back them for their games ahead.

Club director Mark Turner said: "The board are disappointed by these allegations and have taken steps to protect the club."

Boateng and Adelakun, from the Croydon area of south London, have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Dec 11.

They are the third and fourth people charged in connection with the investigation into an alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

Chann Sankaran, 33, from Hastings, East Sussex, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, from Singapore, were charged last month with plotting to defraud bookmakers.

Both were remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on Dec 13.

[size=14pt]Sam Sodje at centre of new match-fixing allegation.[/size]

By Telegraph Sport

10:03AM GMT 08 Dec 2013

https://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02759/sam-sodje_2759261e.jpg
In the spotlight: Sam Sodje is under investigation

Picture: GETTY IMAGES


Former Premier League player Sam Sodje allegedly boasted that he could control events such as bookings

The National Crime Agency is investigating a fresh series of match-fixing allegations after claims that a former Premier League player said he could influence games in return for cash.

Sam Sodje allegedly boasted that he could control events such as bookings, according to allegations in the Sun on Sunday.

It is also alleged that Sodje punched an opponent in the groin to get sent off and receive a bung of £70,000. The incident allegedly occurred when he was playing for Portsmouth against Oldham Athletic in February this year.

Sodje allegedly showed footage of himself hitting Oldham's Jose Baxter and told the Sun reporter: "OK listen. This is when I was playing. Do you know how much I got for that? £70k. Do you know how much I got fined? I got fined ten grand and I missed six games.

"I had to do it because the referee wasn't booking me. Come on, who does that? Why would you do it on the pitch? I was tackling, tackling, it wasn't working and I went f*** that, I'm off."

The former Portsmouth player, 34, who is currently a free agent, also said he had arranged for one player to get a yellow card in exchange for "three bags, three zero", meaning £30,000.

In interviews recorded by the paper and handed to the NCA, Sodje reportedly said: "This guy came to meet me at my house and it was sorted. That's how easy it is - it's nothing."

This former Premier League player, who now plays in the Championship, duly got booked in the match in which Sodje said he would, according to the Sun.

Sodje, who played in the Premier League for Reading, also allegedly claimed he could fix top flight games although it would take "a lot" of money.

A spokesman for the NCA said last night: "We have received some information from the Sun on Sunday and as a result of that there is an ongoing investigation that is taking place."

The allegations come after the Telegraph revealed members of an alleged betting syndicate had been attempting to fix English football games.

Tolexander: can't understand you bro.