Bargain Hunt star Ochuko Ojiri charged with TERRORISM after Met Police investigation
BARGAIN Hunt star Ochuko Ojiri has been charged with a terror offence following a police investigation.
The 53-year-old art dealer – real name Oghenochuko Ojiri – was held over a probe into terrorist financing.
Ojiri is the first person to be charged with a specific offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 9.
The TV star, who has also appeared on Antiques Road Trip, is charged with eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector.
The offences allegedly took place between October 2020 to December 2021.
Ojiri 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.
The Treasury, HMRC and the Met’s Arts & Antiques Unit were all also involved in the probe.
Ojiri was previously the owner of an art gallery called Pelicans and Parrots that was dubbed “the coolest place in London“.
He sold a curated selection of contemporary furniture, houseware, and gifts until the store closed in 2021.
The antiques expert first appeared on screens on BBC show Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
He then became a regular on popular daytime show Bargain Hunt, where he lends his expert advice to budding antique buyers.
Ojiri has also appeared on Antiques Road Show – travelling across the country as he attempts to make a profit on forgotten items.
Away from the screen, he is an avid collector of contemporary art and helped launch the London-based Ramp Gallery, which champions emerging artists.
He previously told the BBC: “Contemporary art, paintings, prints, sculpture and drawings.
“I’m absolutely obsessed, in love and infatuated.”