An art dealer who has appeared on the hit show Bargain Hunt has pleaded guilty to eight charges relating to terrorist financing following an investigation. Oghenochuko "Ochuko" Ojiri, 53, entered the plea at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after being hit with eight charges of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector. These offenses relate to a period from October 2020 to December 2021.
The court heard how the star sold art to a known Hezbollah financier, with assets valued in the region of £140,000. Prosecutor Lyndon Harris stated that Ojiri sold several artworks to Nazem Ahmad, whom he knew to be a suspected terrorist financier sanctioned by the United States and Britain due to his links with Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim political and military group in Lebanon, is backed by Iran and is proscribed as a terrorist organization by both the UK and the US. Harris explained that Ojiri had read news reports about Ahmad's sanctions and had discussions with others regarding his designation. "There is one discussion where Ojiri is party to a conversation where it is apparent a lot of people have known for years about his terrorism links," Harris told the court.
Ojiri, who founded Ramp Gallery, now known as the Ojiri Gallery in east London, was charged following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's specialist arts and antiques unit, alongside the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and HMRC. Under the legislation, it is an offense if individuals do not notify police if they know or suspect a business associate to have been involved in financing a proscribed group.
Each count Ojiri faced related to an individual sale of artworks, which were sent to Dubai, UAE, and Beirut. He dealt directly with Ahmad, negotiated the sales of the artwork, and even congratulated him on those purchases. The value of the artworks sold to Ahmad was approximately £140,000, which is about $186,000 at current exchange rates.
During the court proceedings, it was noted that Ahmad had been sanctioned by the US in 2019 and by the UK government in 2023, which froze his assets and banned UK nationals from doing business with him or his companies.
Harris emphasized that Ramp Gallery had engaged a third party to advise on compliance matters, but the advice given was not properly acted on. He highlighted that the offenses took place over a significant period and that Ojiri was aware of the implications of his actions.
Ojiri is listed on Bargain Hunt's website as one of the show's experts. He has also appeared on BBC's Antiques Road Trip and Channel 5's Storage: Flog the Lot! However, he has not worked on any BBC programs since 2023 and is not a member of BBC staff, working instead as a freelance presenter.
District Judge Briony Clarke granted Ojiri bail but ordered him to surrender his passport, prohibiting him from applying for international travel documents. Gavin Irwin, mitigating, argued that Ojiri is not a flight risk, stating, "The fact that he is here - he has left the UK and has always returned knowing he may be charged with offences - he will be here on the next occasion." Ojiri is set to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on June 6, 2025.
This case marks a significant moment in the enforcement of laws against financing terrorism, as Ojiri has become the first person to be charged under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000 for failing to disclose dealings with a suspected terrorist financier. The implications of this case extend beyond Ojiri, potentially setting a precedent for how similar cases will be handled in the future.
As the investigation continues, the art world is left to grapple with the ramifications of this case. The intersection of art and illicit financing raises important questions about the responsibilities of art dealers and the systems in place to prevent such activities. The outcome of Ojiri's sentencing will likely have lasting effects on how art transactions are monitored and regulated in the UK.
