The Nigerian embassy has accused some of its nationals of making "unfounded allegations" against the country in a "desperate attempt" to remain in Ireland when their asylum applications fail.
The embassy accused "bogus" Nigerian asylum-seekers of making "terrible and unfounded" allegations against their country of origin in order to stay in Ireland "at all costs".
In a statement, it also accused journalists and non-governmental organisations of encouraging asylum-seekers to "vilify" Nigeria as a means of staying in Ireland.
"It is the fundamental human right of everyone to seek a better life wherever he or she feels it is available. However, the choice of vilifying Nigeria in a desperate bid for a perceived better life, with encouragement from the Irish media and non-governmental organisations, is a step in the wrong direction."
The statement continues: "Any Nigerian who seeks to discredit his or her country in spite of efforts undertaken by the government and people of Nigeria to improve the quality of life for everyone, is not worthy of being called a good Nigerian."
The embassy said the case of Ms Nimota Bamidele, who says she was sentenced to death by stoning by a Sharia (Islamic law) court in Nigeria, had been investigated and found to be "totally false". Her allegation had done damage by presenting the country as a "barbaric and lawless society".
It also called on another failed asylum-seeker, Ms Juliet Imiruaye, to say where and when she had been persecuted in Nigeria for campaigning against female genital mutilation.
According to the embassy, the Nigerian government was "at the forefront" of the campaign against female genital mutilation. The practice, which has its roots in traditional beliefs in some communities but is illegal, was no longer widespread, it said. The statement called on journalists to check claims made by asylum-seekers with the Nigerian embassy in Dublin or the Irish embassy in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
