Oghenochuko Ojiri, a 53-year-old art dealer known for his appearances on the popular BBC show "Bargain Hunt," has pleaded guilty to charges of failing to disclose that he sold artworks to a suspected financier for the militant group Hezbollah. This admission came during a court proceeding at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Friday.
Ojiri, who operates an art gallery in East London, was found to have sold several pieces to Nazem Ahmad, an individual previously sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom due to his links with Hezbollah, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by both governments, primarily due to its backing by Iran.
The prosecutor, Lyndon Harris, revealed that the total value of the artworks sold to Ahmad from October 2020 to January 2022 was approximately £140,000, equivalent to $186,000 at current exchange rates. Although Ojiri was listed as an expert on the "Bargain Hunt" website at the time he was charged, the BBC has clarified that he hasn't participated in any of their programs since 2023, operating instead as a freelancer with no formal ties to the corporation.
This case continues to develop as reports emerge, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
