A BBC Bargain Hunt art expert has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for failing to report high-value art sales to a man suspected of financing the militant group Hezbollah.
Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, from Brent, north London, sold around £140,000 worth of artwork to Nazem Ahmad, a man designated by US authorities as a suspected financier for the Lebanese organisation, a court heard last month.
Ojiri, from Brent, north London, previously pleaded guilty to eight offences under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. He is believed to be the first person to be charged under the specific offence.
The art dealer, who also appeared on the BBC’s Antiques Road Trip, was charged with failing to disclose information about transactions in the regulated art market on or before dates between October 2020 and December 2021.
US prosecutors say Mr Ahmad was a “major Hezbollah financial donor” who used high-value art and diamonds to launder money and fund the group.
He is accused of helping to evade terrorism sanctions by using front companies to obtain more than $160 million (£120 million) worth of art and diamond services.
After new money laundering rules brought the art market under HMRC supervision in January 2020, Ojiri reportedly discussed the changes with a colleague, indicating he was aware of the regulations.
The court previously heard that the total value of the artwork sold was around £140,000.
Ojiri was sentenced to two years and six months in prison at the Old Bailey on Friday, with a further year to be spent on licence.
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