By Abiola Olawale
Senator Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State at the Senate, has refuted claims that he married Nollywood actress Regina Daniels when she was 17 years old.
The lawmaker asserted that his wife was a consenting adult at the time of their union and labelled the allegations as part of a wider, politically motivated “smear campaign.”
In a statement released across his social media handles on Thursday, Nwoko said the reports were part of attempts to tarnish his image amid ongoing marital challenges between him and the Nollywood actress.
He maintained that their marriage, which he said took place in 2019, was conducted “honourably” and witnessed by the public, with her family’s full involvement.
Nwoko stated: “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.
He explained that during his first meeting with Regina, she told him she was 21 years old and presented an Independent National Electoral Commission voter’s card as proof, showing her date of birth as October 10, 1998.
“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 documents 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,” he said.
Nwoko added that their marriage took place six years ago, asserting that by all verifiable records, Regina is currently 27 years old.
He continued: “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.
“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.”
Nwoko’s remarks come after a public dispute with Regina Daniels.
The pair’s fallout follows weeks of social media exchanges and public statements over alleged domestic violence, which Nwoko has consistently denied, attributing her behaviour to drug and alcohol abuse.
He said Regina’s “current battle with substance abuse” had strained their marriage and reiterated his call for her to undergo rehabilitation.
