Ned Nwoko Regina Daniels domestic violence allegations
A video circulating online has reignited controversy surrounding the marriage of actor-producer Regina Daniels and her husband, Nigerian senator Ned Nwoko. In the footage, Daniels appears visibly distressed as she speaks of serious alleged mistreatment, stating, “In Ned Nwoko’s house I am nothing, but in my house I’m a queen… I cannot stand the violence again, it is too much.” Her elder brother, identifying himself as Sammy West, added fuel to the fire by posting strong accusations that the senator had physically assaulted his sister, including claims of her head being smashed against a wall, and that thugs were allegedly deployed by Nwoko to intimidate the family.
At the same time the drama unfolded, Nwoko attended an awards ceremony — the Democracy Heroes Award Africa 2025 — where he was named “Best Performing Senator of the Year”. He shared the recognition on his social media with a video of himself and his Moroccan wife, Laila Charani, present at the event. Many Nigerians flooded Nwoko’s Instagram page with comments, interpreting the event attendance alongside a different wife as insensitive in the light of the allegations. Some users warned him directly, essentially urging him to ensure no harm comes to Daniels.
The public reaction has been intense, with social media users not just voicing concerns about the alleged domestic violence, but also scrutinising the timing and optics of Nwoko’s public outing with Laila Charani. Some have inferred the coordinated event attendance as a dismissal of the seriousness of Daniels’ claims. Neither the senator nor Daniels has publicly made a detailed statement addressing the core allegations as of this moment.
This incident has shed light on the complexities of high-profile relationships in Nigeria, especially where large age gaps, polygamous arrangements and power imbalances may intersect with issues of domestic abuse and public image. The age difference between Daniels and Nwoko has long drawn public criticism, and this latest episode further amplifies concerns around vulnerability and protection in such marriages.
