The Ekwenche Research Institute, a U.S.-based human rights organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, has issued a detailed public statement endorsing Intersociety’s latest 16-page response to the BBC and calling for sweeping reforms within the global broadcaster.
The statement, dated Wednesday, November 12, 2025, also appeals to the international community to intervene to prevent what it describes as “a looming and threatening genocide” in Nigeria.
Ekwenche Welcomes Resignations of BBC Executives
In the release, Ekwenche welcomed the recent resignations of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness, describing the development as overdue and linked to longstanding accusations of “serious and systemic bias.”
According to the Institute, the BBC’s African Service and its Global Disinformation Unit have faced repeated complaints over “institutional and reportorial bias,” particularly in relation to sensitive political and human rights issues in Nigeria.
The group alleged that BBC staff members had become instruments “for misinformation and government image laundering”.
It accused the broadcaster of using U.K. public funds to “hold brief for the Government of Nigeria.”
It further claimed that BBC personnel recently misrepresented President Donald Trump’s public statements and “twisted” Intersociety’s responses during an inquiry into religious persecution in Nigeria.
Ekwenche called for a mass overhaul of the BBC, especially in its African Section and Disinformation Unit.
It named three journalists it said should be dismissed for participating in “an attempt to discredit Intersociety’s detailed research findings.”
Full Endorsement of Intersociety’s Research Reports
The Institute’s statement offers a strong endorsement of years of research conducted by Intersociety (International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law), a Nigerian civil liberties organization known for reports on religiously motivated attacks and killings across the country.
According to Ekwenche, its independent investigations align with Intersociety’s findings, which document widespread attacks on Christians, Igbo communities, and other minority groups.
The organization stated that various reputable international human rights bodies and global media outlets have corroborated similar patterns of violence.
It insists they are supporting its view that Nigeria is facing a coordinated and religiously motivated crisis.
It linked the alleged atrocities to what it described as attempts to impose “a nationalized Islamization project” intended to force the diverse Nigerian population into a “homogenous Islamic Sultanate.”
Ekwenche emphasized that Intersociety’s publications have historically earned recognition and praised their accuracy.
Historical Collaboration and Legal Actions
The statement also disclosed that in 2017, Ekwenche sought documentary evidence from Intersociety to support petitions regarding alleged crimes against humanity in Eastern Nigeria.
The documents, Ekwenche said, were reviewed and validated by U.S. legal experts Bruce Fein and Bruce W. DelValle, leading to litigation in Washington, D.C.
It was followed with a criminal complaint filed at the International Criminal Court in 2019.
Fein, the Institute noted, previously served as Associate Deputy Attorney General of the United States under the Reagan administration.
The group, therefore, reinforced the group’s assertion that the review process was rigorous and credible.
Claims of Worsening Religious Persecution
Ekwenche maintains that religiously motivated killings in Nigeria have increased over the past decade and argues that the evidence is well documented both locally and internationally.
It accuses the Nigerian government—particularly since 2015—of failing to confront or dismantle militant groups responsible for attacks on Christian communities.
The statement further claims that former adherents of Islam disclosed alleged plans, involving the importation of foreign fighters.
These claims, however, are yet to be verified independently.
The Institute says these concerns informed its earlier legal submissions to the ICC and continue to shape its advocacy efforts.
Assessment of Nigeria’s Governance Crisis
Beyond religious violence, the document outlines a sweeping critique of Nigeria’s governance structure, describing the country as “terminally sickened” by institutional decay.
It identifies four core areas of concern:
Judiciary Without Independence
Ekwenche argues that pervasive executive interference has eroded judicial independence, allowing impunity to flourish and depriving citizens of meaningful legal redress.
Corrupt and Predatory Economy
According to the Institute, Nigeria’s economic system primarily benefits a small political elite, while millions face poverty amid widespread mismanagement of national wealth.
Compromised Legislature
The group alleges that jihadist groups have infiltrated key political institutions.
It claimed that extremist ideologies have influenced legislative processes and enabled the erosion of constitutional authority.
An Artificial Union Under Strain
Ekwenche concludes that structural inequities, unaddressed grievances, and rising ethno-religious tensions have rendered Nigeria’s unity “untenable”.
It warned that the country risks violent fragmentation without urgent intervention.
Calls to the International Community
The Institute therefore issued a broad appeal to international governments, multilateral institutions, and global civil society to take urgent action.
Key elements of its appeal include:
- Recognizing Nigeria’s crisis as one rooted in fundamental structural incompatibilities within its union.
- Supporting peaceful self-determination processes for Nigerian ethnic nationalities through internationally supervised referenda or negotiated restructuring.
- Condemning state actions that suppress political expression or autonomy demands.
- Facilitating dialogue among Nigeria’s diverse groups under international mediation, and,
- Considering international designation and sanctions against groups and individuals Ekwenche accuses of aiding extremist violence.
The statement also urges that Nigeria—already recommended for designation as a Country of Particular Concern by several international observers—should see associated armed groups listed as Entities of Particular Concern to trigger global sanctions and accountability mechanisms.
A Call for Peaceful Self-Determination
The concluding section reiterates that the group does not advocate violence but calls for a peaceful restructuring of Nigeria to allow all communities to live “in dignity under governments they freely choose.”
It cites global precedents—including East Timor, South Sudan, and Kosovo—and urges the international community not to overlook Nigeria’s evolving crisis.
The statement was signed by:
- Dr. Mbajiogu Akujieze, President, Ekwenche Research Organization
- Mazi Luke Nwannunu, Secretary and Chairman, Ekwenche Genocide Committee
- Rev. Pastor Emeka Nwachukwu, Chairman, Ekwenche Education and Culture
