Bargain Hunt expert jailed for offences under Terrorism Act
A BBC Bargain Hunt art expert who failed to report a series of high-value art sales to a man suspected of financing the militant group Hezbollah has been jailed for two and a half years.
Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, sold artworks worth a total of about £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, a man designated by US authorities as a suspected financier for the Lebanese organisation, a court hearing was told last month.
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.
US prosecutors say Ahmad was a 'major Hezbollah financial donor' who used high-value art and diamonds to launder money and fund the group.
Ahmad is accused of evading terrorism sanctions by using front companies to acquire more than $160m (£120m) in artwork and diamond services.
After 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 artworks sold was about £140,000.
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.
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