A 53-year-old British-Nigerian art expert, Oghenochuko ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri, has pleaded guilty to charges in a terrorism financing case after failing to report multiple high-value art sales to a man sanctioned due to alleged ties with Hezbollah.
Ojiri, who has appeared as a freelance expert on BBC shows such as Bargain Hunt, admitted to eight counts of failing to disclose business transactions under the Terrorism Act 2000. This case marks the first prosecution of its kind in the UK.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that between October 2020 and December 2021, Ojiri sold art worth £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, a man sanctioned by the US in 2019 and by the UK in 2023 for alleged links to Hezbollah, a group classified as a terrorist organisation.
Prosecutor 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 added, “Ramp Gallery engaged a third party to advise on compliance matters,” but noted the advice was “not properly acted on.”
Ojiri, the founder of Ramp Gallery, which is now known as Ojiri Gallery in east London, conducted business directly with Ahmad. He negotiated sales and congratulated Ahmad on his purchases.
Ahmad, who the UK government described as having “an extensive art collection in the UK,” is known to have engaged with UK-based artists, art galleries, and auction houses. Prosecutors highlighted that Ahmad had been sanctioned due to his support for Hezbollah, a Shia militant group backed by Iran, which is designated a terrorist group by both the UK and the US.
The prosecution follows investigations by the Metropolitan Police’s specialist arts and antiques unit, in collaboration with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Under the Terrorism Act, individuals are legally obliged to report if they suspect a business associate is involved in funding a proscribed group.
Ojiri is listed on the Bargain Hunt website as an expert, though he is not employed by the BBC and has not appeared on the show since 2023. In response to the case, a BBC spokesperson said, “It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”
District Judge Briony Clarke granted Ojiri bail and required him to surrender his passport. His defence barrister, Gavin Irwin, informed the court that Ojiri is not considered a flight risk.
Sentencing for Ojiri is scheduled for June 6 at the Old Bailey.
