Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, has categorically denied claims by his estranged wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, that he married her when she was 17 years old. In a statement circulated across his social media platforms on Thursday, Nwoko described the allegations as “false, misleading, and malicious”, asserting that they are part of attempts to tarnish his public image amid ongoing marital tensions.
“It has come to my attention that false claims are being circulated by Regina, suggesting that I married her when she was 17 years old. These claims are entirely untrue and misleading,” Nwoko said.
Verification Through Official Records
Nwoko explained that he had verified Regina’s age during their first meeting. According to him, she told him she was 21 years old and even presented an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter’s card as proof, showing her date of birth as October 10, 1998. He also attached a copy of the voter card to his post on social media.
“For clarity, during my first meeting with Regina, I asked her age, and she told me she was 21 years old. I further asked if she had any document to support this, and she presented her INEC voter’s card, which clearly shows that she was born on October 10th, 1998. I informed her that I would keep this document in my possession, and I have done so since that day,” Nwoko stated.
The Senator added that their marriage took place six years ago, emphasizing that Regina Daniels is currently 27 years old, contrary to claims that she was 17 at the time of marriage.
“According to all verifiable records, our marriage took place six years ago, which means Regina is 27 years old today. Any suggestion that I married her at 17 is false and should not be accepted by the public,” he noted.
Allegations Influenced by Personal Struggles
Nwoko suggested that his wife’s claims may be influenced by her current mental and physical health, referencing her incomplete rehabilitation for drug addiction.
“The facts are verifiable and indisputable. Until this is done, I urge the public to approach all her claims with caution and discernment, especially taking into account her current mental condition having started and abandoned her rehabilitation from illegal drug addiction,” he said.
PUNCH Online previously reported that Nwoko accused a “syndicate of pull-down-Ned” group of exploiting his marital crisis to damage his reputation.
The Escalating Public Dispute
The conflict between Nwoko and Regina Daniels escalated after the actress admitted to using illicit substances and alleged that her estranged husband introduced her to drugs for his sexual satisfaction. Nwoko, however, denied the allegations, claiming that it was Regina’s brother, Sammy Daniels, who introduced her to drugs and hindered all rehabilitation efforts.
The feud comes after weeks of public exchanges and social media confrontations over alleged domestic violence, which Nwoko has consistently denied, attributing Regina’s behavior to substance abuse. He reiterated his call for her to complete rehabilitation, citing her “current battle with substance abuse” as a key strain on their marriage.
Family Tensions Amid the Crisis
The controversy further deepened following the arrest of Regina’s brother, Sammy Daniels, in Lagos. He was subsequently transferred to Abuja, arraigned in court, and remanded pending the fulfillment of bail conditions. Amid these developments, Regina recently revealed that her estranged parents had reconciled, likely influenced by her ongoing family crisis.
