Art dealer Ochuko Ojiri’s guilty plea in terrorism financing case

May 10, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

A British-Nigerian art expert, Oghenochuko “Ochuko” Ojiri, has pleaded guilty to eight counts of failing to report suspicious transactions related to terrorism financing.

Ojiri, 53, admitted to selling artworks worth £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, a sanctioned individual accused of supporting Hezbollah, between October 2020 and December 2021.

The Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that Ojiri was aware of Ahmad’s sanctioned status, having accessed news reports and conversations discussing Ahmad’s alleged links to terrorism.

Despite hiring a compliance adviser, Ojiri’s gallery didn’t properly act on key recommendations, leading to the illicit transactions.

Ojiri knew about Ahmad’s alleged involvement in terrorist financing through news articles and online records.

He failed to report the suspicious transactions, despite being aware of Ahmad’s sanctioned status.

Ojiri sold artworks worth £140,000 to Ahmad, congratulating him on his purchases and negotiating sales directly.

Ojiri was granted bail but ordered to surrender his passport and refrain from applying for international travel documents.

He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on June 6. This case marks the first prosecution of its kind in the UK under the specific provision of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, is designated as a terrorist organization by both the UK and the US. Ahmad was sanctioned by the US in 2019 and later by the UK government in 2023, which imposed asset freezes and banned any UK business dealings with him. Ojiri’s guilty plea highlights the importance of due diligence in business transactions, particularly when dealing with sanctioned individuals or organizations.

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police’s specialist arts and antiques unit, alongside the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and HM Revenue & Customs. Ojiri’s case serves as a reminder of the need for businesses to prioritize compliance and reporting requirements to prevent similar offenses.