Manny Ita
The public dispute between Nollywood actress Regina Daniels and her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, has escalated into a complex legal and personal confrontation marked by allegations of domestic violence, substance abuse, theft and multiple arrests, as of January 13, 2026. What began as a marital separation in late 2025 has since unfolded into a series of competing claims aired in court filings, police actions and social media exchanges.
The crisis first became public in October 2025 when Daniels reportedly moved out of the couple’s home, with allegations of domestic violence emerging shortly afterward. Her brother, Sammy West, shared videos and photographs online alleging that the senator physically assaulted her, claiming he “smashed her head against a wall.” Nwoko denied the allegations and released private WhatsApp messages dated October 2025, arguing that the breakdown of the marriage stemmed from what he described as Daniels’ “substance use disorder” and her refusal to comply with household rules.
As the dispute intensified, the senator publicly described Daniels as a drug addict, alleging the use of cocaine, marijuana and opioids. Daniels countered that claim by alleging that Nwoko used his influence to have her siblings arrested as “leverage” to compel her to enter a rehabilitation facility in Abuja. On January 7, 2026, she posted a video from the United Kingdom showing herself undergoing a comprehensive drug test, which returned negative results for hard drugs. She acknowledged past use of “Molly” (Ecstasy) but maintained she was never an addict. Nwoko dismissed the test results, describing them as evidence of “temporary abstinence,” and said he possesses medical reports from 2025 that allegedly show long-term substance abuse.
In recent days, the dispute has taken a criminal turn following allegations of theft. Nwoko accused Daniels’ family and close associates of stealing $40,000, estimated at about ₦65 million, from his residence. On Monday, January 12, Daniels’ close friend identified as Ann was arrested, while her brother, Sammy West, had earlier been detained and remanded at Keffi Prison. Daniels said during a live broadcast that a warrant had been issued for her arrest and that of her mother, Rita Daniels, and questioned the allegation, stating, “Ned does not even keep cash at home, so where did the $40k come from?”
Reactions from family members and industry colleagues have further fueled public debate. Sammy West accused the senator of abusing his influence, telling him to “find a therapist” and alleging that he was using his “red cap” to intimidate a 24-year-old woman, while vowing to go to jail “five times over” to defend his sister. Veteran actress Georgina Onuoha also weighed in, accusing Nwoko of “psychological abuse” and describing the public confrontation between a 65-year-old man and a much younger woman as “deeply disturbing.”
Both parties continue to deny each other’s claims, with Daniels insisting the allegations against her and her family are fabricated to damage her reputation, while Nwoko maintains that law enforcement actions are based on legitimate criminal complaints. The situation remains fluid as legal teams on both sides prepare for court proceedings.
