UK's SFO Launches Investigation into Soma Oil & Gas

Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched a criminal investigation into British exploration firm Soma Oil and Gas, which has been searching for oil in conflict-ridden Somalia.

"The SFO confirmed today that it has opened a criminal investigation into SOMA Oil & Gas ... in relation to allegations of corruption in Somalia," the SFO said in a statement late on Friday in which it also appealed for whistleblowers.

Soma was not immediately available for comment.

(Reporting by Drazen Jorgic)