Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, from Brent has been setenced to two and half years in prison
Author: Kat Wright and PA reporters Jordan Reynolds and Harry StedmanPublished 35 minutes ago
A BBC Bargain Hunt art expert who failed to report a series of high-value art sales to a man suspected of financing militant group Hezbollah has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, sold artwork worth around £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, a man designated by US authorities as a suspected financier for the Lebanese organisation.
Ojiri, of Brent, north London, previously pleaded guilty to eight offences under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. He is believed to be the first person to be charged with the specific offence.
The art dealer, who has also appeared on the BBC’s Antiques Road Trip, 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.
Art buyers apparent links to Hezbollah
US prosecutors say Mr Ahmad was a “major Hezbollah financial donor” who used high-value art and diamonds to launder money and fund the group.
He is accused of evading terrorism sanctions by using front companies to acquire more than 160 million dollars (£120 million) in artwork and diamond services.
Following the introduction of new money laundering regulations in January 2020 that brought the art market under HMRC supervision, Ojiri is said to have discussed the changes with a colleague, indicating awareness of the rules.
The court previously heard the total value of the artwork sold was around £140,000.
The defendant was, at the relevant time, the owner and operator of Ramp Gallery – latterly Ojiri Gallery, Lyndon Harris, prosecuting, said.
Mr Ahmad is understood to be based in Beirut, the court heard.
Judge’s comments
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb sentenced Ojiri to two years and six months in prison at the Old Bailey on Friday, 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.”
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.
Ojiri has appeared on a number of BBC shows including Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip.
He has previously worked as an auctioneer and is known for championing African and European contemporary art.
Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political and militant group based in Lebanon, backed by Iran and known for its armed resistance against Israel.
In the UK, the entire organisation – both its military and political wings – has been banned as a terrorist group since 2019.
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