BBC ‘Bargain Hunt' expert jailed over art sales to ‘Hezbollah financier'
Oghenochuko Ojiri (53) sold artwork worth around £140,000 (€166,000) 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 UK's 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 Mr Ahmad was a 'major Hezbollah financial donor' who used high-value art and diamonds to launder money and fund the group.
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 defendant was, at the relevant time, the owner and operator of Ramp Gallery – latterly Ojiri Gallery, Lyndon Harris, prosecuting, said.
'The defendant engaged in discussions with and sales over a 14-month period with Nazem Ahmad and his associates, selling art to the value of £140,000 over that period,' Mr Harris said.
The defendant knew Mr Ahmad had been sanctioned in the US, a previous hearing was told.
Ahmad's phone number was saved on Ojiri's phone as 'Moss', the court heard.
'[It] appears to have been a name deliberately chosen to disguise Mr Ahmad as being one of his contacts,' the prosecutor said.
He added that Ojiri was warned by others about his conduct 'but proceeded to engage in dealings with Ahmad in any event'.
Gavin Irwin, defending, said Ojiri was arrested while filming a BBC TV programme.
He said the defendant had been 'naive' in relation to his participation in Ahmad's art market, but that he was 'preyed on by more sophisticated others'.
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