British-Nigerian Gallerist Faces Sentencing Over Terrorism Finance Failures

British-Nigerian art dealer Oghenochuko “Ochuko” Ojiri has pleaded guilty to eight counts of failing to report suspicious transactions linked to terrorism financing—marking a landmark case under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000.

Ojiri, 53, admitted to selling artworks valued at £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, a sanctioned Lebanese collector accused of financing Hezbollah, between October 2020 and December 2021. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by both the UK and US governments.

During a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, it was revealed that Ojiri was aware of Ahmad’s sanctioned status through media reports and conversations in professional circles. Despite this knowledge, he proceeded with the sales, personally negotiating deals and congratulating Ahmad on his purchases.

While Ojiri had hired a compliance adviser, his gallery failed to implement key anti-financial crime measures, resulting in a breach of financial sanctions regulations.

Nazem Ahmad was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2019 and by the UK in 2023, with both governments freezing his assets and banning financial dealings. Ojiri’s failure to report the transactions brought scrutiny from law enforcement and financial watchdogs.

The Metropolitan Police’s Arts and Antiques Unit led the investigation alongside the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and HM Revenue & Customs.

Ojiri was granted bail under conditions including the surrender of his passport and a ban on applying for travel documents. He is scheduled for sentencing at the Old Bailey on June 6.