Senator Ned Nwoko has addressed the arrest of Ms. Izuegbu Anthonet, popularly known as Ann, a close friend of Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, amid widespread social media speculation.
In a statement from his communication team, Nwoko said that many online narratives about Ann’s arrest are “false, reckless, and deliberately intended to distort the facts.”
According to the statement, Ann was arrested for criminal defamation after publicly alleging that Senator Nwoko physically assaulted his wife, Mrs. Laila Nwoko, causing a miscarriage — claims the senator insists are entirely false. “No such incident occurred, and no miscarriage resulted from any alleged violence,” the statement said, adding that the accusations appear to be part of a coordinated attempt to reinforce unsubstantiated domestic violence claims.
The statement also accuses Ann of being involved in the procurement of an illegal abortion for Regina Daniels during her marriage to Nwoko. It alleges that she administered controlled substances to Regina, reportedly causing prolonged bleeding, with the circumstances described as “gruesome.” Nwoko’s team emphasized that the matter is on record and has been publicly referenced before.
A formal witness statement submitted to the Maitama Police Station in October 2025 reportedly details Ann’s repeated involvement in sourcing, handling, and administering illegal substances to Regina and others, identifying suppliers and providing corroborative evidence to law enforcement.
Nwoko’s team noted that the arrest followed a social media post in which Ann made threats, repeated defamatory claims, and issued derogatory remarks against the senator and his wife — actions described as criminally defamatory and provocative.
“This matter is not a social media dispute but a law-enforcement issue grounded in evidence, witness testimonies, and due process,” the statement read. “Any attempt to mischaracterise the arrest as suppression or victimisation is false and misleading.”
Ann was reportedly arrested in Lagos on January 12, 2026, detained for two nights, and released on January 15, with her case adjourned until March 5, 2026. The senator and his family urged the public to rely on verified facts and allow the legal process to take its course.
The arrest comes amid a broader ongoing dispute between Nwoko and Regina Daniels, which has included conflicting allegations of abuse, substance use, and legal battles.
