THIS DAWN — Senator (Dr.) Prince Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North in the National Assembly, has denied widespread claims that he married Nollywood actress Regina Daniels when she was 17 years old.
Senator Nwoko released a public statement on Thursday, November 13, 2025, disputing the allegation.
The senator cited official identification documents that, according to him, prove that Daniels was 21 at the time of their marriage in May 2019.
The controversy resurfaced this week amid reports of marital tensions and renewed debate over Daniels’ true age.
In his statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Senator Nwoko said assertions that he married a minor were “entirely untrue and misleading”.
He insisted that verifiable documents confirm she was an adult when they wed.
“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 she was born on October 10, 1998.
“I have kept that document in my possession since that day,” the statement read.
He added that a 2018 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter’s card issued to Daniels indicated a 1998 birth year, making her 21 in 2019.
The senator further cited a BBC interview granted by Regina Daniels’ mother after the marriage, which he said corroborated that timeline.
Conflicting Age Records
The dispute stems from conflicting personal records that appear to list different birth years for the actress.
While Nwoko references the voter’s card showing 1998, Regina Daniels’ international passport reportedly lists her year of birth as 2001 — suggesting she was 17 at the time of her marriage.
Supporters of the actress, including activist Omoyele Sowore and fellow actress Doris Ogala, have referred to the passport record to support claims that she was underage in 2019.
The controversy has reignited long-standing criticism of child marriage in Nigeria and sparked renewed discussions about the accuracy of national identification systems.
Nigeria’s multiple documentation platforms — including birth certificates, passports, and voter registration — often display inconsistent birth data.
This problem, analysts say, contributes to confusion in both civil and legal matters.
Marital Dispute Context
The latest round of allegations appears to have emerged during what media outlets describe as an ongoing marital dispute between Nwoko and Daniels.
Social media commentary has circulated claims of domestic disagreements and accusations of drug use, which the senator referenced in his statement.
He alleged that Daniels had “started and abandoned her rehabilitation from illegal drug addiction”.
He urged the public to view her recent statements “with caution and discernment.”
Daniels has not issued a direct response to the senator’s latest statement, though her representatives have previously maintained that she was born in 2001.
Public Reaction
The controversy has divided opinion among the public and within the entertainment industry.
Some commentators have defended Nwoko, pointing to the voter’s card as a verifiable government record.
Meanwhile, others argue that the passport date — typically subject to international verification — should be considered more reliable.
Human-rights advocates have used the dispute to call for tighter verification standards in marriage documentation and to highlight the social and legal implications of underage marriage.
Legal analysts note that no formal complaint or investigation has been filed against Nwoko regarding the allegation.
They also say that there is no ongoing court proceeding related to the marriage.
Reputational damage
The senator’s statement appears aimed at pre-empting reputational damage and clarifying the record amid the renewed scrutiny.
According to Nwoko, his marriage to Regina Daniels took place six years ago, which would make her 27 years old today if the 1998 birth year is accurate.
He described all claims that she was 17 at the time as “false and not to be accepted by the public.”
“The facts are verifiable and indisputable,” his statement concluded. “Until this is done, I urge the public to approach all her claims with caution.”
The actress, who rose to prominence in Nollywood as a teenage performer, has remained one of the most followed figures on social media in Nigeria.
As of Thursday evening, neither Daniels nor her management had issued a formal rebuttal to the senator’s remarks.
