Latest news with #Ogheneochuko'Ochuko'Ojiri
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Bargain Hunt star charged after terrorist financing probe
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Metropolitan Police have charged a star from the popular TV show Bargain Hunt following an investigation into terrorist financing. Ogheneochuko 'Ochuko' Ojiri, 53, was investigated by officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU) and is now facing a number of charges. The Met confirmed that Ojiri is the first individual to be charged with an offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000, specifically for failing to disclose information during business within the regulated sector. Officers say he has been charged with eight counts pertaining to activities between October 2020 and December 2021. Ojiri is set to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on the upcoming Friday, 9 May. In their statement, the Met detailed: "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." They continued, explaining the charges: "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." Furthermore, 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 and Antiques Unit." The art dealer, famed for his stints on BBC's Bargain Hunt since 2021, is the founder of Ramp Gallery in London with a focus on emerging and contemporary artists. Nurturing an early passion for the arts, he carved a niche for himself in the antiques world. Ojiri expressed: "No other industry would accept my rare mixture of sarcasm, cynicism and passion. Ha-ha!". Together with Juliet Da Silva, he opened the vintage shop and art venue Pelicans and Parrots on Stoke Newington Road in Dalston, offering modern furnishings, homeware and unique gifts. To complement their pop-up events, they secured a license to serve alcohol at the shop. Speaking about his venture's impact in 2019, Ojiri informed the local council: "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." Despite shutting the shop in October 2021, he continued to inspire others about the antique trade, advising: "Forget all the rules and buy what you love. The chances are someone else will love it too." The Ramp Gallery eventually transitioned into the capital's celebrated Ojiri Gallery. Previously speaking with the BBC, he shared his passion: "Contemporary art, paintings, prints, sculpture and drawings. I'm absolutely obsessed, in love and infatuated."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Bargain Hunt star charged by Met police under Terrorism Act
Bargain Hunt star Ogheneochuko 'Ochuko' Ojiri has been charged by the Metropolitan Police under the Terrorism Act 2000. Officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU) have been investigating alleged terrorist financing. In a statement, the Met Police said: "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." It 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." Ochuko Ojiri is one of the experts from Bargain Hunt on the BBC (Image: BBC) According to the Mirror, the charges against the 53-year-old expert relate to the period between October 2020 and December 2021. The Bargain Hunt star, who is apparently the first person to be charged with a specific offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, May 9. On a Q&A section for the antiques show on the BBC website, he said that he is 'absolutely obsessed' with collecting contemporary art, paintings, prints, sculpture and drawings. He once joked: "No other industry would accept my rare mixture of sarcasm, cynicism and passion. Ha-ha!" Over a decade ago, the dealer opened up a vintage shop and art gallery called Pelicans & Parrots alongside Juliet Da Silva in London. BBC reveals future of Stacey Solomon reality show - will there be a series 2? Emmerdale star quits show and their final scenes will be shown tonight Richard Hammond set to appear on Amazon Prime's Clarkson's Farm series 4 - watch Discussing his business success in 2019, he said: "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, despite this, the shop was forced to close in October 2021.
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Police statement as Bargain Hunt star charged after terrorist financing probe
Bargain Hunt star Ogheneochuko 'Ochuko' Ojiri has been charged following a terrorist financing investigation by the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit 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."
