BARGAIN Hunt star Ochuko Ojiri has pleaded guilty to a terror offence after flogging art worth £140,000 to a suspected Hezbollah backer.
The 53-year-old art dealer – real name Oghenochuko Ojiri – was held following the investigation into terrorist financing.
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Ojiri today appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court accused of eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector.
The TV star, who has also appeared on Antiques Road Trip, pleaded guilty to the charges, which took place between October 2020 to December 2021.
JPs heard Ojiri sold artwork to Nazem Ahmad, a man designated by US authorities as a “major financial donor” for militant group Hezbollah.
Prosecutors in America believe Ahmad used high-value art and diamonds to launder money and fund the organisation.
Lyndon Harris, prosecuting, said: “At the time of the transactions, Mr Ojiri knew Mr Ahmad had been sanctioned in the US.
“Mr Ojiri accessed news reports about Mr Ahmad’s designation and engaged in discussions with others about his designation.
“There is one discussion where Mr Ojiri is party to a conversation where it is apparent a lot of people have known for years about his terrorism links.”
Mr Harris said that Ojiri “dealt with Mr Ahmad directly, negotiated the sales of artwork and congratulated him on those sales”.
The total value of the artwork sold was around £140,000, with the art sent to Dubai, the UAE, or Beirut.
The court heard new money laundering regulations in January 2020 brought the art market under HMRC supervision.
Ojiri is said to have discussed the changes with a colleague – indicating awareness of the rules.
He was granted bail ahead of his sentencing at the Old Bailey on June 6 on the condition he surrender his passport.
Ojiri is the first person to be charged with a specific offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
His charge came following an investigation into terrorist financing by officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU), part of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
The Treasury, HMRC and the Met’s Arts & Antiques Unit were all also involved in the probe.
Ojiri was previously the owner of an art gallery called Pelicans and Parrots that was dubbed “the coolest place in London”.
He sold a curated selection of contemporary furniture, houseware, and gifts until the store closed in 2021.
The antiques expert first appeared on screens on BBC show Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
He then became a regular on popular daytime show Bargain Hunt, where he lends his expert advice to budding antique buyers.
Ojiri has also appeared on Antiques Road Show – travelling across the country as he attempts to make a profit on forgotten items.
Away from the screen, he is an avid collector of contemporary art and helped launch the London-based Ramp Gallery, which champions emerging artists.
He previously told the BBC: “Contemporary art, paintings, prints, sculpture and drawings.
“I’m absolutely obsessed, in love and infatuated.”
In a statement the BBC said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”
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