A Nigerian medical director, Dr Chidi A. Okoroafor, has pushed back against claims circulating online that actress Regina Daniels recorded a negative drug test result only because she had allegedly undergone detoxification or abstained from drugs ahead of the screening. His remarks have added a professional voice to a debate that has drawn intense public attention following Daniels’ decision to make her test result public.

Dr Okoroafor addressed the issue in a Facebook post after Daniels shared her negative drug test, which sparked mixed reactions across social media. While some supporters hailed the result as proof of her innocence, critics suggested the outcome may have been influenced by prior detoxification or temporary abstinence.

According to Okoroafor, such assumptions reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of how drug testing and substance dependence work.

Doctor rejects detox narrative

In his post, Okoroafor dismissed the idea that drug use can be easily erased from the body simply by travelling abroad or undergoing detox shortly before a test.

“Once I hear ‘she has gone abroad to detoxify or flush out the drugs before test,’ I mark myself and family safe from your generational ignorance,” he wrote.

He went further, using a mix of English and Pidgin to underline his point. “No, na pregnancy she go flush. Ewi nta,” he added, suggesting that the belief that drugs can be quickly flushed out reflects flawed reasoning.

Okoroafor also questioned the logic behind claims that detoxification alone can resolve substance dependence, pointing to the reality of rehabilitation cycles many families experience.

“Na so easy to flush out and your relative dey go in and out of rehab every market day?” he asked. “And you and your family have not deemed it necessary to go and flush out or detoxify him or her? You prefer to keep spending money in rehab right?”

Medical experts say Okoroafor’s comments align with established clinical understanding. Drug detection windows vary depending on the substance, frequency of use and the individual’s metabolism. However, detoxification does not automatically eliminate evidence of prior use, nor does it address addiction as a chronic medical condition.

Background to the controversy

The debate follows weeks of public speculation surrounding Regina Daniels, a well-known Nollywood actress, after reports emerged suggesting concerns about her wellbeing. In response, Daniels shared a drug test result indicating a negative outcome, a move that was widely interpreted as an attempt to address rumours directly.

According to observers, the decision to publish the result shifted the conversation from speculation to interpretation, with online users debating what a negative test does or does not prove. It was within this context that claims of detoxification began to circulate, prompting reactions from both medical professionals and public figures.

While Daniels herself has not publicly addressed the detox claims, her decision to release the test result has continued to generate commentary beyond the entertainment space, extending into medical and ethical discussions about privacy, evidence and public judgment.

Ned Nwoko responds with cautionary note

Meanwhile, Ned Nwoko, the estranged husband of Regina Daniels, has also reacted to the negative drug test, offering a more measured but critical perspective.

In a statement titled “Don’t be fooled: Temporary abstinence is not sobriety,” Nwoko cautioned against interpreting the test result as definitive proof that there had never been a problem.

“Presenting a later negative result as proof that no prior use occurred is misleading and disingenuous,” he said.

According to Nwoko, a negative test can at best show that a person has abstained from substances for a certain period. “At best, it reflects abstinence over a period of time. It does not invalidate earlier medical reports, nor does it negate what necessitated intervention in the first place,” he added.

His statement suggests that the issue should be viewed through a broader lens that considers medical history rather than a single test outcome.

Why the debate matters

Health professionals say the public argument highlights a wider problem in how substance use and recovery are discussed in Nigeria. According to addiction specialists, there is often confusion between abstinence, detoxification and long-term recovery, with many people assuming that a clean test automatically equals sobriety.

A Lagos-based psychiatrist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said drug testing is a limited tool when removed from clinical context. According to the psychiatrist, “A negative test tells you what is happening now, not necessarily what happened months ago or why treatment was considered.”

The expert added that public misinterpretation of medical results can discourage people from seeking help, especially when health issues become fodder for online debate.

Unique perspective on public disclosure

One aspect that has received less attention is the growing pressure on public figures to provide medical proof to counter rumours. Media analysts say Daniels’ decision to share her test result reflects a broader trend where celebrities feel compelled to surrender personal medical information to protect their reputations.

This raises ethical questions about boundaries and the role of social media in shaping health narratives. According to media ethicist Yemi Ogunbiyi, public disclosure does not always settle controversies and can sometimes deepen scrutiny.

“When medical issues become public trials, evidence is rarely enough because opinions are already formed,” Ogunbiyi said. “What we are seeing here is not just about a test result but about trust, stigma and the public’s demand for certainty.”

Implications going forward

The differing responses from a medical professional and a political figure close to the actress underscore how complex the issue has become. While Okoroafor focused on correcting what he sees as medical misinformation, Nwoko emphasised caution against oversimplifying recovery narratives.

Observers say the conversation could prompt more informed discussions about addiction, testing and recovery if handled responsibly. However, there is also concern that continued public debate could overshadow the underlying health considerations.

For now, neither Daniels nor her representatives have issued further statements addressing the comments from Okoroafor or Nwoko. What remains clear is that the episode has opened a wider conversation about how medical information is interpreted and weaponised in the public space.

The controversy surrounding Regina Daniels’ negative drug test has evolved beyond entertainment gossip into a broader discussion involving medical facts, public perception and personal boundaries. Dr Chidi A. Okoroafor’s rejection of detox-related claims challenges common misconceptions, while Ned Nwoko’s response urges caution against drawing sweeping conclusions from a single test. As the debate continues, experts say a more nuanced understanding of substance use and recovery is essential to avoid misinformation and stigma.