Have you been wondering where Bargain Hunt star Ochuko Ojiri had disappeared to? Well, turns out he’s been dealing with accusations of terrorist financing. I mean, I know it’s not a brilliant programme, but it’s hardly terrorism, is it?!
Art dealer Ojiri, 53, pleaded guilty to eight counts under the Terrorism Act 2000 of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business.
He has admitted to failing to report a series of high-value art sales to a man named Nazem Ahmad, who is designated by US authorities of being a Hezbollah financier.
Ojiri, who has also appeared on Antiques Road Show, was charged following an investigation into terrorist financing by officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU), part of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, a Met Police statement reveals.
Under the legislation, it’s an offence if you do not notify police if you know or suspect a business associate to have been involved in financing a proscribed group.
Obviously this is not a great look for the BBC, but it’s worth noting that Ojiri was never actually a BBC employee, but rather a freelance presenter.
It would be interesting to know more details about the sales themselves, though. It’s no secret that antiques/art is a world that organised crime groups can easily get involved in, but it’s still shocking that a presenter for Bargain Hunt could get himself wrapped up in this sort of thing.
As Ojiri failed to report the sales, it could be a classic money laundering situation, the proceeds of which then ended up with Hezbollah?
Ojiri, from west London, is currently out on bail and is shceduled for sentencing at the Old Baily on June 6.
Will he got to jail? Yes? Yes!!! (Sorry, couldn’t resist).
For the ‘bored’ security guard who drew eyes on a £740,000 painting after being ‘pressured’ by a group of teenage girls, click HERE.
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