Nigerian Lawmaker Ned Nwoko Explains Arrest of Regina Daniels’ Best Friend, Ann Izuegbu Anthonet

Published on 19 January 2026 at 12:14

Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Nigerian Senator Ned Nwoko has provided a detailed explanation for the arrest of Anthonet Izuegbu, popularly known as Ann, who is a close friend of his estranged wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels. The development has become a major public controversy, drawing intense scrutiny and sparking a heated dispute between the parties involved. 

The matter came to a head after Daniels took to social media on January 14, 2026, publicly questioning the legality of Ann’s arrest and criticised what she described as inconsistent accusations against her friend — initially involving alleged drug-related matters, then theft — without clear legal basis. Daniels also expressed fear for Ann’s safety and implied that the arrest was connected to her ongoing personal conflict with Nwoko, rather than directly related to any actionable offence. 

In response, Nwoko’s communication team released a statement via Instagram rejecting Daniels’ narrative as “false, reckless, and deliberately intended to distort the facts.” According to the lawmaker’s account, Ann was arrested primarily on allegations of criminal defamation for publicly claiming that Nwoko had physically assaulted his wife, Mrs. Laila Nwoko, allegedly causing a miscarriage. The senator’s camp insisted that these claims were entirely without evidence and part of what they described as a coordinated attempt to amplify unsubstantiated domestic violence narratives. 

Beyond the defamation allegation, the lawmaker’s team has accused Ann of a far more serious charge involving an illegal abortion, claiming she was implicated in procuring an unlawful termination of pregnancy for Daniels during their marriage. Nwoko’s statement said this allegedly involved administering controlled substances — described in the communication as a “bunch of weed” — which they claim led to sustained bleeding and the loss of his unborn child. The statement framed this as a criminal act and part of the basis for the complaint submitted to law enforcement authorities. 

The communication also referenced a formal witness statement dated October 29, 2025, submitted to the Maitama Police Station, which reportedly detailed Ann’s repeated involvement in sourcing and administering illegal substances to Daniels and others, and cited identifiable suppliers connected to these claims. The team said these matters are currently under investigation by the appropriate agencies and remain subject to law enforcement procedures. 

According to multiple reports, Ann was arrested in Lagos on January 12, 2026, held in detention for two nights, and subsequently released on January 15. Her case has been adjourned until March 5, 2026, as legal proceedings continue. Nwoko’s team emphasised that the arrest was not about social media disputes, but rather grounded in allegations that they say are backed by evidence, witness testimonies, and police filings. 

Meanwhile, Regina Daniels has continued to challenge the legitimacy of the process and has framed it as part of an ongoing pattern of intimidation linked to her disputes with Nwoko. Daniels has also accused authorities of facilitating what she views as oppressive actions against her and her associates, adding to public debate and animosity surrounding the case. 

The dispute between the Nollywood actress and the senator has drawn widespread attention on social media, where both sides’ narratives have dominated headlines and fuels ongoing public discussion. Observers note that the legal and personal dimensions of the conflict are deeply entwined, making it difficult to separate private matters from formal criminal allegations at this stage. 

Overall, while Daniels has categorically denied that Ann committed any offence and raised concerns about the motives behind her arrest, Nwoko’s explanation centres on criminal defamation and other serious allegations he says justify the involvement of law enforcement. The case is set to proceed through the legal system, where evidence and formal charges will be examined in court. 

📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews

 

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.