Art dealer first to be charged with terrorism financing offence

An art dealer from London has become the first person to be charged with a specific terrorism financing offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Oghenochuko Ojiri has been charged with eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector, contrary to section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. The charges relate to a period from October 2020 to December 2021.

The charges come after an investigation into terrorist financing by officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU), part of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 9 May, Ojiri pleaded guilty to the charges.

The court heard that Ojiri sold artwork to Nazem Ahmad, a suspected financier of Hezbollah.

According to the prosecution, Ojiri had viewed news reports showing Ahmad had been sanctioned by US authorities.