Bargain Hunt Art Dealer Jailed Over Terror Financing Scandal
Art Dealer Snared in Terrorism Act Crackdown
A former Bargain Hunt star, London art dealer Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, has been slammed with a 2½-year jail term. He admitted selling £140,000 worth of art to a sanctioned financier linked to Hizballah, marking the UK’s first-ever terrorism financing prosecution in the art world.
Behind the Curtain: The Players
Ojiri’s shady dealings involved Nazem Ahmad, a Lebanese art collector blacklisted by both UK and US authorities for funding Hizballah—a proscribed terrorist group. Despite full knowledge of Ahmad’s banned status, Ojiri kept trading with him from October 2020 to December 2021.
The Metropolitan Police’s National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU) spearheaded the probe, teaming up with US Homeland Security and HMRC to crack the case.
How the Scam Unfolded
- Ojiri was nabbed on April 18, 2023, in Wrexham. Police seized nearly £1 million worth of priceless artworks, including pieces by Picasso and Warhol.
- Investigators uncovered fake invoices designed to hide Ahmad’s involvement.
- Messages revealed Ojiri discussing anti-money laundering rules as far back as 2020.
- Phone evidence confirmed Ojiri knew about Ahmad’s US Treasury sanctions but chose to ignore them.
The Crown Prosecution Service blasted Ojiri for sidestepping mandatory reporting rules introduced in 2019 for art dealers, chasing profits and prestige over the law.
Why This Conviction Rocks the Art World
This landmark sentencing exposes how vulnerable the high-end art market is to money laundering and terrorism finance. International sanctions can be easily bypassed through secretive deals in this unregulated sector.
Commander Dominic Murphy, Met Counter Terrorism: “This prosecution should serve as a warning to art dealers and anyone in the luxury market: we will pursue those who enable or fund terrorism.”
Bethan David, CPS: “Ojiri was fully aware of Ahmad’s status but chose to conceal his identity to boost his gallery’s credibility and financial returns.”
What’s Next?
- Ojiri was sentenced at the Old Bailey on 6 June 2025.
- The seized artworks will be auctioned off, with proceeds funnelled into law enforcement and counter-terrorism efforts.
- This case sets a new precedent for cracking down on money laundering in the UK’s art world.
