Police statement as Bargain Hunt star charged after terrorist financing probe
The Metropolitan Police have issued a statement after they charged a Bargain Hunt star following a terrorist financing investigation. Offices from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU) launched a probe into Ogheneochuko 'Ochuko' Ojiri.
According to the Met, the 53-year-old was the first person to be charged with a specific offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. He faces eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector.
The charges relate to a period from October 2020 until December 2021. Ojiri is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, 9 May.
In a statement, the Met said: "Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53 (05.05.72), of west London, has been charged following an investigation into terrorist financing by officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU), part of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
"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. The charges relate to a period from October 2020 to December 2021."
They added: "The investigation has been carried out in partnership with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in HM Treasury, HMRC (the organisation that regulates the art sector), and the Met's Arts & Antiques Unit."
The art dealer, who is known for appearing on BBC show Bargain Hunt since 2021, founded the Ramp Gallery in London, which specialises in emerging and contemporary artists.
He grew up with a love for the arts and eventually started a career in antiques. Ojiri said: "No other industry would accept my rare mixture of sarcasm, cynicism and passion. Ha-ha!"
The antique expert opened his own vintage shop and art gallery called Pelicans & Parrots with Juliet Da Silva on Stoke Newington Road in Dalston, London. It sold contemporary furniture, houseware and gifts.
They were able to get the right to serve alcohol on the premises to support pop-up events. Ojiri told the local council about his business's success in 2019: "We've been trading since 2010, and have been integral to the regeneration of the area.
"We're very proud of what we've achieved in those nine years. We've taken risks and we're proudly part of the community."
However, the shop closed down in October 2021. It didn't deter him from urging others to get into the antique business, however, as he said: "Forget all the rules and buy what you love. The chances are someone else will love it too."
Ojiri's Ramp Gallery in London later evolved into the contemporary art gallery Ojiri Gallery in the capital. He previousky told the BBC: "Contemporary art, paintings, prints, sculpture and drawings. I'm absolutely obsessed, in love and infatuated."
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