Oghenochuko Ojiri failed to report a series of high-value art sales he made to Ahmad.
Mr Ojiri did not respond to questions outside Westminster Magistrates's Court on whether he was concerned about Hezbollah's actions. pic.twitter.com/1dh8KefNIB
— Charlie Peters (@CDP1882) May 9, 2025
An art expert who has worked on the BBC’s Bargain Hunt has admitted failing to report a series of high-value art sales to a man suspected of financing the proscribed group Hezbollah.
Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, pleaded guilty to eight counts under the Terrorism Act 2000 of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business, the first prosecution of its kind.
The court heard on Friday that Ojiri sold artwork worth £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, who is accused of supporting the Lebanon-based group and was sanctioned by the US in 2019.
Lyndon Harris, prosecuting, said Ojiri had read news reports showing Ahmad had been sanctioned and discussed this with other people.
The offences took place between October 2020 and December 2021.
Ojiri founded Ramp Gallery, now known as the Ojiri Gallery, based in east London.
Mr Harris said: “There is one discussion where Ojiri is party to a conversation where it is apparent a lot of people have known for years about [Ahmad’s] terrorism links.”
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdj9wpk2nxjo
h/t A Deplorable Neanderthal