A Nigerian-British art dealer has been charged with a terrorism offense after a police investigation into financing terrorism.
Oghenochuko ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri, aged 53, was arrested two years ago by officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU), which is part of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command. He is scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court today. The Met Police previously explained that his arrest was connected to an investigation involving Nazem Ahmad, a wealthy art collector and diamond dealer. Ahmad is suspected of funding Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organization in the UK.
Nazem Ahmad, 60, holds dual Belgian-Lebanese citizenship and has been sanctioned by both the UK and the US. Authorities believe he has been using the UK’s fine art market to fund Hezbollah through international operations.
Ojiri, known for his appearances on BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, has expressed a deep passion for collecting contemporary art. His collection includes paintings, prints, sculptures, and drawings.
He faces eight charges for failing to disclose information in relation to terrorism financing under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. These charges cover the period from October 2020 to December 2021. The Met Police confirmed that Ojiri is the first person to be charged under this specific law.
Nazem Ahmad was accused by the US Treasury in 2019 of laundering large sums of money and smuggling “blood diamonds” to fund Hezbollah. After being sanctioned, he was charged by the US in April 2024, along with eight others, for violating sanctions regulations.
In 2024, police raided a high-security depot near London’s Heathrow Airport, where they seized nearly two dozen pieces of art belonging to Ahmad. These artworks, including works by Picasso and Andy Warhol, are believed to be linked to Hezbollah funding. The total value of the seized artworks was estimated to be nearly £1 million.
Among the charges Ahmad is facing are defrauding governments, evading sanctions, and money laundering. The UK government has also imposed sanctions on Ahmad, as he is known to have a significant art collection in the UK, working with various artists, galleries, and auction houses.
The US authorities are actively seeking Ahmad, offering a $10 million reward for information that leads to his capture. They believe he is currently in Beirut.
