A British-Nigerian man, Oghenochuko Ojiri, has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison by a UK court for selling artwork to a man believed to be funding Hezbollah, a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation by British authorities.
Ojiri, 53, a former expert on BBC’s Bargain Hunt, pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Terrorism Act 2000 for failing to report suspicious financial activity related to terrorism. The case, heard at the Old Bailey, marks the first successful prosecution of its kind in the United Kingdom.
“These offences are so severe that only a custodial sentence can be justified,” said the presiding judge, Justice Cheema-Grubb. “You knew about Ahmad’s suspected involvement in financing terrorism and the way the art market can be exploited by people like him.”
The judge acknowledged Ojiri’s talent and prior success, stating, “Your hard work, talent and charisma brought you a great deal of success… yet you knew you should not have been dealing with that man.”
Although there was no evidence linking Ojiri to any extremist views or terrorist activities, the court found that he knowingly failed to report dealings with Lebanese art collector Nazem Ahmad — a man under US sanctions since 2019 for allegedly laundering funds for Hezbollah.
“Your failure to disclose your dealings with Mr. Ahmad undermined the detection of terrorist financing,” Justice Cheema-Grubb added.
Between 2020 and 2021, Ojiri secretly sold artwork valued at nearly £140,000 to Ahmad, including a £20,000 piece by Icelandic artist Baldur Helgason. These artworks were later shipped from London to destinations in Dubai and Beirut.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, emphasized the gravity of the crime: “Raising money for terrorism is a core part of how terrorist groups are then able to cause harm around the world.”
Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Counter Terrorism Division, noted the significance of the case. “This prosecution is believed to be the first of its kind, and the CPS will not hesitate to bring criminal charges against individuals who flout the law in this way.”
Ojiri’s lawyer, Gavin Irwin, described the impact of the conviction on his client’s life and reputation: “He’d like to apologise for undermining trust in the art market. His humiliation is complete. He’s lost his good name and the work he loves.”
The court also heard that while Ojiri initially denied suspecting Ahmad of any wrongdoing, investigations revealed otherwise. Messages and searches recovered from his mobile phone showed awareness of Ahmad’s sanctions status, and a colleague had even warned him against maintaining contact.
Ahmad remains at large in Lebanon and has not been extradited to face trial in the UK.
This case has cast a spotlight on how the art world can be exploited for illicit financial transactions and highlights the importance of due diligence and legal compliance within the creative and commercial industries.
