Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, has denied claims by his estranged wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, that he married her at 17, describing the allegations as “false, misleading, and malicious” attempts to tarnish his reputation amid their ongoing marital dispute.

In a statement shared on his verified social media accounts on Thursday, Nwoko insisted that Regina was 21 years old at the time of their marriage. “When I first met Regina, she told me she was 21 and presented her INEC voter’s card showing her date of birth as October 10, 1998,” he said, noting that he retained the document. He confirmed that their marriage took place six years ago, making Regina 27 years old today, and urged the public to disregard claims suggesting otherwise.

Nwoko also alleged that Regina’s statements were influenced by her “current mental condition,” pointing to an incomplete rehabilitation for substance abuse. “The facts are verifiable. I urge the public to treat her claims with caution,” he added.

The senator previously accused what he described as a “pull-down-Ned syndicate” of exploiting his marital issues to damage his public image. The couple’s conflict escalated after Regina admitted to using illicit substances and alleged that Nwoko introduced her to drugs for sexual purposes, an accusation he denied. Nwoko claimed that Regina’s brother, Sammy Daniels, was responsible for her drug exposure and had undermined attempts to help her recover.

He linked the decline of their marriage to her struggle with substance abuse and reiterated his call for her to undergo professional rehabilitation. The dispute intensified following the arrest of Sammy Daniels, who was transferred from Lagos to Abuja and remanded in custody pending bail.

Amid the family turmoil, Regina disclosed that her previously estranged parents had reconciled in the wake of her brother’s arrest and the family crisis.