₦airaland Forum

British-Nigerian Art Dealer ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri Pleads Guilty To Terrorism Financing In UK

A 53-year-old British-Nigerian art expert, Oghenochuko ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri, has pleaded guilty in a terrorism financing case after failing to report a series of high-value art sales to a man sanctioned over alleged links to Hezbollah.

Ojiri, who has appeared as a freelance expert on BBC programmes including Bargain Hunt, admitted eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business under the Terrorism Act 2000. This marks the first prosecution of its kind in the United Kingdom.

According to a BBC report, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that between October 2020 and December 2021, Ojiri sold artwork worth £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, a man sanctioned by the United States in 2019 and later by the UK government in 2023 for alleged support to the proscribed group Hezbollah.

Prosecuting, Lyndon Harris told the court: “There is one discussion where Ojiri is party to a conversation where it is apparent a lot of people have known for years about [Ahmad's] terrorism links.”

He also said: “Ramp Gallery engaged a third party to advise on compliance matters,” but added that the advice was “not properly acted on.”

Ojiri, who founded Ramp Gallery—now operating as Ojiri Gallery—in east London, dealt directly with Ahmad, negotiated sales, and congratulated him on his purchases.

The UK government previously noted that Ahmad had “an extensive art collection in the UK” and conducted business “with multiple UK-based artists, art galleries and auction houses.”

Hezbollah, a Shia political and militant organisation based in Lebanon and backed by Iran, is proscribed as a terrorist group by both the UK and the US.

Ojiri’s prosecution followed investigations by the Metropolitan Police’s specialist arts and antiques unit, in collaboration with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and HMRC.

Under the Terrorism Act, individuals are required to notify authorities if they suspect a business associate is involved in funding proscribed groups.

Ojiri is listed on the Bargain Hunt website as one of the show’s experts. He is not a BBC employee and has not appeared on any of the broadcaster’s programmes since 2023.

“It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings,” a BBC spokesperson said.

District Judge Briony Clarke granted Ojiri bail and ordered him to surrender his passport. His barrister, Gavin Irwin, told the court that Ojiri is not considered a flight risk.

Sentencing has been scheduled for June 6 at the Old Bailey.

nedu666:
How is selling an art work terrorism

thorpido:
Big fool

tunjijones:
He sold to someone that has Ben penned down as a terrorist.
Nobody is asking him not to sell to him, but he was supposed to report it to the authorities.

nedu666:
How is selling an art work terrorism

nedu666:
How is selling an art work terrorism