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BBC's Ochuko Ojiri Pleads Guilty to Eight Terror Financing Counts Over £140,000 Art Sales; Sentencing June 6

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Updated May 9, 2025, 09:42 PM

Oghenochuko 'Ochuko' Ojiri, a 53-year-old art dealer and freelance expert who appeared on BBC's Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, has pleaded guilty to eight counts of failing to disclose suspicious transactions under the Terrorism Act 2000. The offences relate to art sales conducted between October 2020 and December 2021. Ojiri sold artworks valued at approximately £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, a Lebanese collector sanctioned by the US since 2019 and by the UK since 2023 for alleged links to Hezbollah. Prosecutors stated that Ojiri was aware of Ahmad's status as a sanctioned individual, discussed his designation with others, and congratulated Ahmad on purchases. The artworks were sent to locations including Dubai, the UAE, and Beirut. Ojiri founded the Ramp Gallery, now operating as Ojiri Gallery in east London. He is not a BBC staff member and has not appeared on BBC programmes since 2023. Prosecutors said Ojiri did not act on compliance advice and failed to notify authorities despite knowing about Ahmad's terrorism links. Ojiri stated his motive was the kudos of working with a high-profile collector, not money. The charges followed an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's specialist arts and antiques unit, with support from HMRC and the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation. District Judge Briony Clarke granted Ojiri bail on the condition that he surrender his passport. Sentencing is scheduled for June 6 at the Old Bailey. This is the first prosecution of its kind in the UK under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.

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#BBC #Terrorism Act 2000 #Ojiri #Nazem Ahmad #Lebanese #US #UK #Hezbollah #Ahmad #Dubai #UAE #Beirut #Ramp Gallery #Ojiri Gallery #London #Metropolitan Police #HMRC #Briony Clarke #Old Bailey

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Sources

gbnews.com(3)thesun.co.uk(2)news.sky.com(2)ctvnews.ca

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