Guilty of failing to report dealings with a suspected Hezbollah financier

An art dealer who has appeared as an expert on the BBC programme Bargain Hunt has admitted failing to report his dealings with a suspected Hezbollah financier.

The court heard Oghenochuko Ojiri sold artwork to NAZEM AHMAD but did NOT REPORT [tell the authorities] despite knowing Ahmad had been under US sanctions over links to the proscribed organisation

US prosecutors say

• 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 $160m (£120m) in artwork and diamond services.

Nazem Ahmad

• As a dual Belgian-Lebanese citizen who has been sanctioned by both the United States and the United Kingdom for his alleged involvement in financing Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist militant group  .
• He is known as a wealthy art collector and diamond trader, but his activities have raised significant concerns due to accusations of money laundering and dealing in "blood diamonds" .
• In April 2023, Ahmad and eight associates were charged in the United States with multiple crimes, including evading terrorism-related sanctions and conducting money laundering transactions .
• Despite being sanctioned since December 2019, Ahmad allegedly engaged in transactions worth millions of dollars through a complex web of business entities.
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/ofac-designated-hizballah-financier-and-eight-associates-charged-multiple-crimes

On Thursday,

• Ojiri became the first person IN THE UK to be charged with such an offence.

On Friday,

• He pleaded guilty to eight counts relating to October 2020 and December 2021 at Westminster magistrates' court.

The prosecutor, Lyndon Harris, told the court

• That Ojiri negotiated art sales worth £140,000 and congratulated Ahmad on his purchases.
• The art dealer had read news reports about sanctions against Ahmad and was party to conversations in which his links to Hezbollah were common knowledge.
• “At the time of the transactions, Mr Ojiri knew Mr Ahmad had been sanctioned in the US. Mr Ojiri accessed news reports about Mr Ahmad’s designation and engaged in discussions with others about his designation.
• “There is one discussion where Mr Ojiri is party to a conversation where it is apparent a lot of people have known for years about his terrorism links.”
• Ojiri “dealt with Mr Ahmad directly, negotiated the sales of artwork and congratulated him on those sales”.

After new money laundering regulations were introduced 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.

District Judge Clarke granted bail but ordered Ojiri to surrender his passport and not to apply for international travel documents.

Ojiri will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 6 June. The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Source

• https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/09/oghenochuko-ojiri-uk-art-expert-bargain-hunt-admits-failing-to-report-high-value-sales-to-terrorism-funding-suspect

ALSO READ

UK art dealer charged with “FAILING TO REPORT” a suspicion of "terrorist financing" (the first charge ever)

An art dealer who appeared as an expert on the BBC's Bargain Hunt has been charged with terror offences, the Metropolitan Police has said.

On Friday, Mr Ojiri, known as Ochuko Ojiri, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, of West London, has been charged with eight counts of "failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector", following an investigation into "terrorist financing".

The Met added that the alleged offences occurred between October 2020 and December 2021. The forces specialist arts and antiques unit, alongside the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and HMRC, carried out the probe.

The force said it is the first charge of its kind under section 21A of the Terrorism Act of 2000.

Following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, he has been charged with

• 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.

Section 21A mandates that individuals in regulated sectors, such as art dealers and financial institutions, must report any suspicions of terrorist financing or involvement in criminal activities

• https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/section/21A

Mr Ojiri is listed on Bargain Hunt's website as one of the show's experts. He has also appeared on Antiques Road Trip and Channel 5's Storage: Flog the Lot!

He founded the Ramp Gallery, a contemporary art showroom now known as the Ojiri Gallery, based in Stoke Newington in north-east London.

On Friday, Mr Ojiri, known as Ochuko Ojiri, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

References

UK Art Dealer Charged in Historic Terrorist Financing Case https://fincrimecentral.com/uk-art-dealer-charged-terrorist-financing/

Art dealer charged as part of Met investigation into terrorist ...https://news.met.police.uk/news/art-dealer-charged-as-part-of-investigation-into-terrorist-financing-497067

Terrorism Act 2000 - Legislation.gov.uk https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/section/21A

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg4180np8do