A BBC Bargain Hunt art expert, previously convicted for not reporting high-value art sales to an individual linked to funding militant group Hezbollah, has failed in his attempt to overturn his sentence.
Oghenochuko Ojiri was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, with an additional year on license, in June for selling artwork valued at £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, identified by US authorities as a suspected financier for the Lebanese organization.
The 53-year-old had pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Terrorism Act 2000, marking the first instance of such charges being brought against an individual.
During a recent hearing, Ojiri’s lawyers argued for a reduction in his sentence, citing his alleged naivety. However, three senior judges dismissed the appeal, asserting that Ojiri was fully aware of his actions and motives.
The court revealed that Ojiri knowingly engaged in the transactions to earn a significant amount of money, rejecting any notion of ignorance on his part. Ojiri was found to have breached money laundering regulations by failing to disclose transaction details in the art market sector.
US prosecutors alleged that Nazem Ahmad used valuable art and diamonds to launder money and support Hezbollah, evading terrorism sanctions through front companies to acquire millions in assets.
Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist group based in Lebanon with Iran’s backing, has been designated a terrorist organization in the UK since 2019.
Despite claims of inexperience and innocence, Ojiri was found to have altered invoice details to conceal Ahmad’s identity, leading to serious charges under section 21A of the law.
Ojiri, a resident of Brent in north London, gained recognition as a freelance presenter on various BBC shows like Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip. He was apprehended while filming a BBC program and has not been involved in the network’s productions since 2023.
At the court hearing, Ojiri declined to participate via videolink from prison. The judges upheld the original sentence, emphasizing Ojiri’s deliberate actions in concealing Ahmad’s involvement.