Bargain Hunt expert Ochuko Ojiri has been jailed for two-and-a-half-years after pleading guilty to terror charges.
The 53-year-old pleaded guilty last month to eight charges linked to terrorist financing. It’s said the art dealer is the first person to be charged with that specific offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.
In May, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that Ojiri had sold art to Nazem Ahmad, a known Hesbollah financier, for around £140,000. He was charged with failing to disclose information about transactions in the regulated art market sector on or before dates between October 2020 and December 2021.
The charges were eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector. These charges were uncovered during an investigation into alleged “terrorist financing”.
(Image: Met Police)
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb sentenced Ojiri, who has also appeared on the BBC’s Antiques Road Trip, to two years and six months in prison at London’s Old Bailey on Friday (June 6), with a further year to be spent on licence.
She told Ojiri he had been involved in a commercial relationship “for prestige and profit”, and that he had been “seeking the kudos of dealing with an eminent name in the dealing world”.
She added: “You knew about Ahmad’s suspected involvement in financing terrorism and the way the art market can be exploited by someone like him.”
(Image: Met Police)
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said that until these events he was “someone to be admired” and added “this is the nadir – there is one direction your life can go and I am confident that you will not be in front of the courts again.”
The judge said the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.
Gavin Irwin, defending, said Ojiri was arrested while filming a BBC TV programme.
He said: “He has lost the work he loves. He was arrested while filming a BBC television programme.
“He has already lost, of course, his good name, he was until recently a man of good character.”
He said the defendant had been “naive” in relation to his participation in Ahmad’s art market, but that he was “preyed on by more sophisticated others”.
(Image: Jordan Peck|Getty Images)
Mr Irwin also said the defendant has lost his business, accepted that he had done wrong and wanted to “apologise for undermining trust in the industry” and also to “apologise for the distress that he has caused principally to those who know him, who love him, but also those who have supported him throughout his career”.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said that until these events he was “someone to be admired” and added “this is the nadir – there is one direction your life can go and I am confident that you will not be in front of the courts again.”
The judge said the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “The prosecution, using specific Terrorism Act legislation is the first of its kind, and should act as a warning to all art dealers that we can, and will, prosecute those who knowingly do business with people identified as funders of terrorist groups.
“Oghenochuko Ojiri wilfully obscured the fact he knew he was selling artwork to Nazem Ahmad, someone who has been sanctioned by the UK and US Treasury and described as a funder of the proscribed terrorist group Hizballah.
“Financial investigation is a crucial part of the counter terrorism effort. A team of specialist investigators, analysts and researchers in the NTFIU work all year round to prevent money from reaching the hands of terrorists or being used to fund terrorist attacks.”
Bethan David, head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said: “It is clear that Oghenochuko Ojiri was aware of new money laundering regulations in the art world and that he had knowledge of Nazem Ahmad’s background.
“Ojiri engaged in activity designed to conceal the identity of the true purchaser by changing the details on invoices and storing Mr Ahmad’s name under a different alias in his mobile phone.
(Image: Jordan Peck|Getty Images)
“His motivation appears to be financial along with a broader desire to boost his gallery’s reputation within the art market by dealing with such a well-known collector.”
Ojiri has appeared on a number of BBC shows including Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip.
He described himself as “absolutely obsessed” with collecting contemporary art in a BBC Q&A.
He has previously worked as an auctioneer and is known for championing African and European contemporary art.
Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation which holds a lot of power in Lebanon. It fights against Israel and Western powers in the Middle East, and conflicts have escalated in recent years.
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here.
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
