Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip star Ochuko Ojiri has been charged with terrorist financing following a Met Police investigation.
Ojiri, 53, who has been a regular on the BBC shows for several years, 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.
Met Police confirmed he is the first person to be charged with the specific offence, relating to a period from October 2020 to December 2021.
The force said they were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service following 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 in the probe.
Ojiri first appeared on screens in the BBC show Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, before becoming a regular on BBC One’s Bargain Hunt.
Away from the cameras, Ojiri leads a private life, and is an avid collector of contemporary art and helped launch the London-based Ramp Gallery which champions emerging artists.
The art dealer was previously the owner of an art gallery and vintage shop called Pelicans and Parrots in Dalston, dubbed “the coolest place in London”.
The store sold contemporary furniture, curated houseware and gifts, specialising in Italian vintage, before it was closed in 2021.
Speaking to the BBC previously, Ojiri said he enjoyed “eating pastries and drinking red wine” in his free time, noting his best antique find was a box of Victorian china dolls.
Ojiri, of west London, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
This is a developing story, more to follow.
