Art advisor and gallerist Oghenochuko "Ochuko" Ojiri pleaded guilty today in Westminster Magistrates' Court to eight counts of failing to disclose information about transactions in the regulated art market sector, contrary to section 21A of the UK's Terrorism Act.  His case marks the first time an individual has been prosecuted under this specific offence and highlights the increasing scrutiny the art market faces as a potential conduit for illicit financial activities, including those that could fund terrorism.

Ojiri previously was affiliated with Pelicans & Parrots, established in 2010 in London and directed the Ramp Gallery in Hackney which  specialises in works by emerging and contemporary artists.  His business operates under the registered business name Jessomey Ltd. 

In November 2021, Ramp Gallery was rebranded as Ojiri Gallery and moved its primary gallery operations to the heart of Shoreditch in the former 2,120 sq ft Carl Freedman space on Charlotte Road.  The original gallery location in Dalston, then became known as Ojiri Projects.

Ojiri Gallery, London

Known for his appearances on the popular BBC shows Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, Ojiri was arrested on these charges on 18 April 2023 following an investigation conducted by the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit, part of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command. The Treasury, HMRC, and Scotland Yard's Arts & Antiques Unit were also involved in the probe.

Lyndon Harris, for the prosecution, outlined investigators’ findings in which the Nigerian-British art dealer was identified as having conducted a series of transactions between October 2020 and December 2021 totalling £138,150, through the sale of artworks to Nazem Said Ahmad, a Lebanese Shia diamond dealer and prominent contemporary art collector.

This occurred despite Ojiri knowing that, as early as 13 December 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had already  designated Ahmad as a a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224. This US designation was pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial or technological support to Hezbollah, the Shia Islamist political party and paramilitary group.

In building their case in London, law enforcement officers gathered evidence that Ojiri was aware of Ahmad's designation, had accessed news reports about it, and had engaged in discussions acknowledging the collector’s ties to Hezbollah.

On 18 April 2023, the UK government also imposed sanctions on Ahmad under the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, freezing all his UK-based assets and prohibiting UK individuals or businesses from engaging in transactions with him or with his affiliated entities: White Starr DMCC, Bexley Way General Trading LLC, Best Diamond House DMCC, Sierra Gem Diamonds Company NV, Park Ventures SAL, or the Artual Gallery.  UK authorities allege Ahmad used the London art market to circumvent sanctions through a complex web of companies used to launder funds via transactions involving numerous UK-based artists, galleries, and auction houses.  In May 2023, the UK's National Crime Agency seized 23 paintings worth approximately £1 million from Ahmad, underscoring the scale of his operations.

Based on the evidence presented, Ojiri, represented by Barrister Gavin Irwin, pleaded guilty to all eight charges of failing to disclose his dealings with the sanctioned collector.  Each count is said to relate to an individual artwork sale, with pieces subsequently exported to Dubai or Beirut.

Facing up to five years in prison, Ojiri was released today on conditional bail requiring him to surrender his passport and refrain from applying for any travel documents.

He has been scheduled for sentencing at the Old Bailey on 6 June 2025.