Dare Babalola
Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North has denied allegations by his estranged wife, Regina Daniels, that he married her at 17, calling the claims “false, misleading, and malicious.”
In a statement he signed personally on Thursday, Nwoko said the allegations were part of attempts to damage his reputation amid marital issues with the Nollywood actress.
“It has come to my attention that false claims are being circulated by Regina, suggesting I married her at 17. These claims are untrue and misleading,” Nwoko stated.
He said Regina told him she was 21 during their first meeting and presented an INEC voter’s card showing her birthdate as October 10, 1998, as proof.
“During my first meeting with Regina, she said she was 21. She presented her INEC voter’s card, showing she was born on October 10, 1998, to support this,” he explained.
Nwoko added that their marriage occurred six years ago, making Regina 27 years old currently.
“Our marriage took place six years ago. By all records, Regina is 27 today. Any claim that I married her at 17 is false,” he said.
The lawmaker alleged Regina’s claims were influenced by her “current mental condition,” citing her incomplete rehabilitation for drug addiction.
“The facts are verifiable. I urge the public to view her claims cautiously, considering her mental state and abandoned rehabilitation,” Nwoko said.
Earlier, Nwoko accused a group of exploiting his marital crisis to harm his reputation.
The public dispute between Nwoko and Regina escalated after she admitted to using illicit substances, alleging he introduced her to drugs.
Nwoko denied this, saying Regina’s brother, Sammy, exposed her to drugs and hindered rehabilitation efforts.
The couple’s fallout follows weeks of social media exchanges over alleged domestic violence, which Nwoko denies, blaming substance abuse.
He said Regina’s “current battle with substance abuse” strained their marriage and reiterated his call for her rehabilitation.
Regina’s brother, Sammy, was arrested, transferred to Abuja, and remanded pending bail fulfilment.
