Bargain Hunt star charged over terrorist financing

An art expert who has featured on BBC's Bargain Hunt has been charged with offences relating to terrorist financing.

Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, faces 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 Metropolitan Police said.

He is the first person to be charged with the specific offence, the force added.

Mr Ojiri, of west London, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The charges relate to a period from October 2020 to December 2021 and were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.

It follows an investigation into terrorist financing by officers from the Met's National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit. The Treasury, HMRC and the Met's Arts & Antiques Unit were all also involved, the force said.

In a statement the BBC said: "It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings."

Mr Ojiri is listed on Bargain Hunt's website as one of the show's experts. He is not a member of BBC staff, works as a freelance presenter and has also appeared on Antiques Road Trip and Channel 5's Storage: Flog the Lot!

He has not worked on BBC programmes since 2023.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]