Art Dealer Who Featured on Bargain Hunt Pleads Guilty to Terrorist Financing Offences
A 53-year-old art dealer who appeared on the popular television show Bargain Hunt has pleaded guilty to eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector, contrary to section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. Oghenochuko "Ochuko" Ojiri, from west London, admitted to the offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, following a police investigation into terrorist financing.
According to reports, Ojiri sold art to Nazem Ahmad, a suspected financier of Hezbollah, to a value of approximately £140,000. Prosecutor Lyndon Harris told the court that Ojiri was aware of Ahmad’s sanctioned status in the US at the time of the transactions. "At the time of the transactions, Mr Ojiri knew Mr Ahmad had been sanctioned in the US," Mr Harris said. "Mr Ojiri accessed news reports about Mr Ahmad’s designation and engaged in discussions with others about his designation." The court also heard that Ojiri had been aware of Ahmad’s terrorism links for some time, with one discussion suggesting that many people had known about his connections for years.
The court was told that Ojiri had dealt directly with Ahmad, negotiating the sales of artwork and congratulating him on those sales. Each count Ojiri faced related to an individual sale of artworks, which were sent to Dubai, UAE, and Beirut. The investigation into Ojiri’s activities was conducted by the police, who found that he had failed to make the necessary disclosures regarding the transactions.
As reported by Sky News, Ojiri’s guilty plea follows a lengthy investigation into his business dealings. The art dealer has also appeared on the BBC’s Antiques Road Trip and has been involved in the art world for some time. His lawyer, Gavin Irwin, told the court that Ojiri was not a flight risk and would return to the UK for his sentencing.
Ojiri has been bailed ahead of his sentencing at the Old Bailey on June 6. As a condition of his bail, he has been ordered to surrender his passport and not apply for international travel documents. His lawyer argued that he was not a flight risk, stating that "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."
The case highlights the importance of vigilance in the art world, particularly when it comes to transactions involving individuals or organisations with suspected terrorist links. As Sky News reports, the police investigation into Ojiri’s activities demonstrates the authorities’ commitment to tackling terrorist financing in all its forms.
In a statement, Sky News confirmed that Ojiri’s sentencing is set to take place on June 6. The art dealer’s guilty plea and forthcoming sentencing serve as a reminder of the serious consequences of failing to comply with anti-terrorist financing regulations.
The Sky News article which broke the story, detailed how Ojiri "dealt with Mr Ahmed directly, negotiated the sales of artwork and congratulated him on those sales," according to Mr Harris. Each count Ojiri faced related to an individual sale of artworks, which were sent to Dubai, UAE and Beirut.
Read more on related stories here
Two men found guilty of cutting down famous Sycamore Gap tree
Suspect accused of Derby bank murder appears in court
Man whose body was found in suitcase ‘had raped teenager’
