Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, an art dealer, has admitted eight charges under the Terrorism Act 2000. An investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s specialist arts and antiques unit was then launched. They collaborated extensively with the Government’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to expose the fees. The crimes occurred between October 2020 and December 2021. This included facilitating the sale of £140,000 of artwork to Nazem Ahmad, a financier with ties to Hezbollah.
Ojiri’s admissions mark the first prosecution of its kind in the UK related to sales of art and financing terrorism. He didn’t disclose conflicts of interest in the course of conducting business — an egregious violation that drew immediate concern from law enforcement. The prosecution provided evidence that Ojiri had personal interactions with Ahmad, discussing a sale and personally thanking him for his orders.
Ojiri further admitted that Ramp Gallery hired a third party to advise them on compliance issues. This was narrowly focused on fiscal sanctions only. The truth is, he acknowledged, that advice wasn’t “correctly implemented.”
“Ramp Gallery engaged a third party to advise on compliance matters” – Oghenochuko Ojiri
The UK government had previously stated that Ahmad possessed “an extensive art collection in the UK” and conducted business “with multiple UK-based artists, art galleries and auction houses.” This apparent connection quickly drew intense scrutiny. Allegations tied Ahmad to the underground “blood diamond” trade, an illegal operation under which mineral resources are used to finance war.
Even though he made these claims, Ojiri still claimed that he did not intend to further terrorist activity and apologized for his conduct. Upon reading news reports about Ahmad’s sanctioned status, Ameer engaged directly with the public conversation surrounding his concerns. From there, he proceeded with the artwork sales.
“Dealt with Mr Ahmad directly, negotiated the sales of artwork and congratulated him on purchases” – Westminster Magistrates’ Court
In light of ongoing legal proceedings, a spokesperson for the BBC stated, “It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”
Ojiri’s case is an important demonstration of the transformative power that the art market can have in funding illicit activities. The criminal investigation serves, hopefully, to remind art dealers and institutions that they are subject to the same financial regulations and requirements as any other business.
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