Nnamdi Kanu UK government denies FG requested Radio Biafra ban

The British High Commission has denied any contact from the Nigerian government requesting the shutdown of Radio Biafra which aired from the United Kingdom.

The channel was run by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader pro-Biafra separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that was recently branded a terrorist organisation by the government.

While reacting to the proscription of the group's activities, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had blamed part of the group's notorious fame on the hate-filled divisive rhetoric that aired on the channel.

He further claimed that the Nigerian government had contacted the UK government to ask for the channel to be shut down but that the request was denied on the basis of protecting free speech.

In reaction to Mohammed's claims, the commission released a statement through its media officer, Joe Abuku, claiming the British government is not aware of any such contact on the subject matter.

He said, "The UK is not aware of any representation from Nigerian government about Radio Biafra.

"Were we to receive any such request, we would of course consider it carefully on the basis of the available evidence, recognising that freedom of speech and expression carries responsibilities."

The denial is the second most high profile one challenging Mohammed's claims on the government's efforts in curtailing IPOB as he had also revealed France is the group's "financial headquarters".