A British-Nigerian art dealer and former BBC contributor, Oghenochuko “Ochuko” Ojiri, has admitted to eight offenses under the UK Terrorism Act 2000, in a case of significant legal importance.
Uk:Ojiri, 53, known for his appearances as a freelance art expert on BBC shows like Bargain Hunt, pleaded guilty to not disclosing suspicious transactions involving a Lebanese national sanctioned for allegedly financing the militant group Hezbollah.
Legal experts describe this case as unprecedented in the United Kingdom, focusing on Ojiri’s business dealings between October 2020 and December 2021. During this period, Ochuko Ojiri reportedly sold artwork worth £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, who was sanctioned by the United States in 2019 and later by the UK in 2023 for alleged connections to Hezbollah. At Westminster Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Lyndon Harris stated that Ojiri’s gallery—previously Ramp Gallery, now Ojiri Gallery—knowingly failed to report these substantial transactions, despite being aware of the buyer’s sanctioned status
Prosecutors asserted that Ojiri was aware of concerns regarding Ahmad’s ties to Hezbollah. Harris informed 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.” The court also heard that while Ojiri’s gallery used external compliance advisors, their advice was not properly followed, leaving the business vulnerable to legal breaches under the Terrorism Act.
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Ojiri is said to have personally managed communications and sales negotiations with Ahmad, even congratulating the sanctioned buyer on completed purchases.
The UK government had previously revealed that Nazem Ahmad possessed a large art collection in the United Kingdom and had ongoing dealings with local artists, galleries, and auction houses. These activities allegedly continued without proper disclosure or oversight, despite existing sanctions.
The BBC has responded, clarifying that Ojiri is not a BBC employee and has not appeared on any of its programs since 2023. A BBC spokesperson stated, “It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”
District Judge Briony Clarke granted Ojiri conditional bail, and ordered him to surrender his passport. His lawyer, Gavin Irwin, argued that Ojiri is not a flight risk. The case resulted from investigations by the Metropolitan Police’s specialist Arts and Antiques Unit, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Ojiri is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6, 2025, at The Old Bailey.
Nazem Ahmad was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2019 for alleged Hezbollah funding, and later by the UK in 2023. He is accused of using high-value art purchases to bypass international sanctions and conceal financial activity linked to terrorist financing
Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political and militant group based in Lebanon. It is classified as a terrorist group by the UK and the United States, among others, due to its militant activities and alleged ties to Iran
This case is considered a legal landmark in the effort to combat terrorism financing within the UK’s luxury goods and art sectors. Experts believe it may lead to stricter regulation of high-value art transactions and increased pressure on galleries and dealers to conduct due diligence and report suspicious financial activity.
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