Samuel “Sammy West” Ojeogwu, the brother of actress and filmmaker Regina Daniels, who was allegedly arrested and detained on the orders of her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, has been granted N5 million bail. The news was confirmed on Monday by activist Omoyele Sowore and filmmaker Stanley “Stanley Ontop” Ajemba. Sammy, who had been remanded at Keffi Prison and later by a Magistrate in Dutse, Abuja, can now secure his freedom after a legal team led by Barrister Marshal Abubakar processed his release.

The drama surrounding Sammy’s arrest stems from an ongoing high-profile family conflict involving Regina Daniels and Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North. Regina and her siblings had alleged that Nwoko ordered Sammy West’s arrest for defending his sister against alleged domestic violence inflicted by the lawmaker. Public figures such as actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie and Omoyele Sowore demanded Sammy West’s immediate release. Conversely, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed Sammy West’s arrest on charges including conspiracy, trespass, assault, criminal intimidation, theft, and cyberbullying. The command stated he was apprehended in Lagos and flown to Abuja after failing to respond to police invitations, though it did not disclose who filed the petition.

In a detailed Facebook post, Senator Ned Nwoko alleged that Sammy repeatedly harassed his children and domestic staff in his absence. He further claimed that Sammy introduced Regina to drugs and undermined efforts to help her quit, asserting that Sammy, along with some siblings and friends, had turned his residence into a drug den.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has championed Sammy West’s release and called for the investigation and prosecution of Senator Nwoko over allegations made by Regina Daniels. Sowore noted that Daniels was 17 when she married Nwoko, a minor under UK law, where Nwoko is a registered legal practitioner, implying that any sexual activity after the marriage could amount to statutory rape. He also highlighted Daniels’ claims that Nwoko introduced her to hard drugs while underage and repeatedly forced himself on her, deeming these serious criminal offenses requiring legal action. Sowore urged the Law Society of England and Wales and the Solicitors Regulation Authority to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Nwoko, asserting that he should not be allowed to use political influence or wealth to suppress victims.

Adding another layer to the conflict is a resurfaced Facebook post from 2019 by Jude Ojeogwu, Regina Daniels’ biological father. In the post, Mr. Ojeogwu expressed his strong opposition to the marriage, stating it was without his knowledge or consent, and warned Regina’s mother, Rita Daniels, that she was putting their daughter in harm’s way by allowing the union to proceed.