A Nigerian woman fighting to remain in Ireland with her two children said today she did not know until last Friday that a document she submitted to support her case was a forgery.
Pamela Izevbekhai claims if she returns to Nigeria her two daughters will be subjected to female genital mutilation. She says another daughter Elizabeth died in Nigeria as a result of the procedure.
An affidavit claiming a document supporting her case was forged was published in several newspapers on Friday.
The affidavit came from Dr Joseph Unokanjo, an obstetrician and gynaecologist in Isloma hospital in Lagos, who said that no baby called Elizabeth Isevbekhai was delivered by him at the hospital, and no such baby died of injuries sustained during female genital mutilation.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Marian Finucane Show today, Ms Izevbekhai said she wanted to reassure her supporters that "she had told the truth throughout."
“I want to reiterate that I have not for any reason lied about my child. The existence of Elizabeth is real. She lived and she died. I know that the doctor is refuting everything but I must tell you that Elizabeth existed,” she said.
“It is difficult for me because I didn’t know about this until the day before yesterday,” she added.
Ms Izevbekhai said she would not “put herself through all this” if she did not have a fear of female genital mutilation.
“I have been in this country for four years without my son and my husband. If I didn’t have the fear of female genital mutilation I would not be here. I would not put myself through all this,” she said.
“I did not lie. As soon as I found out about the document I called people to tell them."
Ms Izevbekhai said she would do whatever she had to do to protect her children.
“I will go anywhere. To the ends of the earth. I have already lost one child. I will not lose another,” she said.
Asked what her legal advisers were saying, Ms Izevbekhai said she has "to wait" and confirmed that her case to remain in Ireland, and prevent deportation, is scheduled to be heard this week.