Nigerian dancer and socialite, Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, has been charged in the United Kingdom with attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration, PUNCH Online has learnt.
The charges were confirmed to PUNCH Online on Wednesday by Snaresbrook Crown Court in London, which also disclosed that a reporting restriction is in place to protect the anonymity of the complainant.
The court’s Admin Team Leader, James Baker, said the case is listed for plea and trial preparation on September 15, 2026. In an official email to the correspondent, Baker confirmed that the defendant had been charged with attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration. He added that a reporting restriction had been placed on the case to protect the anonymity of the complainant under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992.
When is Poco Lee due in court?
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Poco Lee is scheduled to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15 for plea and trial preparation. The court had previously confirmed the hearing date in correspondence with PUNCH Online following an inquiry by the newspaper, but said the precise time and courtroom would not be available until the day before the hearing. Baker had confirmed that the case was currently listed at Snaresbrook Crown Court for plea and trial preparation on September 15, 2026, adding that criminal court hearings are open to the public, while precise time and courtroom information would only be available closer to the hearing.
How did reports of his detention emerge?
The founder of the Community of Nigerians in the United Kingdom, Benjamin Kuti, also known as Oluomo of Derby, had earlier told PUNCH Online that Poco Lee was in a UK prison and was awaiting court proceedings. Kuti said he was privy to the development because he regularly attends court proceedings and supports Nigerians involved in legal matters in the UK.
He confirmed that the reports were true, stating that Poco Lee was on remand in a UK prison with his next court date scheduled for the second week of September, when he was expected to have a plea hearing. He explained that a plea hearing would ordinarily involve an accused person entering either a guilty or not-guilty plea. The court subsequently confirmed the September 15 hearing date, although its earlier correspondence did not disclose details of the charges.
Why was Poco Lee in the UK?
Poco Lee was in the United Kingdom in August for the Davido and Friends event held at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14, 2026. He posted about the event on social media, while photographs and videos from the occasion showed him with Nigerian singer Davido and other personalities. Reports of his detention emerged several days after the event.
What has Poco Lee’s management said?
Poco Lee’s management and legal team have urged the public and media to exercise restraint in discussing the case, stressing that the allegations remain before the court. In a statement signed by Adedoyin Faleye and shared on Instagram on behalf of the management, the team said allegations should not be treated as proof of guilt.
The statement noted awareness of the ongoing public discussion surrounding the allegations against their client, currently before the courts in the United Kingdom, stressing that allegations are not evidence of guilt and that no conclusions should be drawn until the matter has been heard and determined through the appropriate legal process.
The management also addressed claims concerning alleged drink spiking, saying such claims were not part of the allegations or charges before the court. It expressed particular concern over the volume of unverified narratives currently circulating, including claims referencing drink spiking, among other allegations that did not form part of any charges before the court.
The team urged the public and media not to introduce unverified details into the case, saying every individual is entitled to a fair hearing and to have their matter determined through due process.
Friends rally round Poco Lee
Following reports of his detention, some of Poco Lee’s friends and colleagues expressed support for him.
Filmmaker TG Omori, who said he had known Poco Lee for years, described him as the purest soul he had ever met, saying it broke his heart to hear of the situation and remarking that the devil really works overtime.
Socialite Rahman Jago also expressed concern over the situation, saying he believed there was more to the matter than what had circulated publicly. He described the situation as heartbreaking given the person he knew Poco Lee to be, and urged people not to use the situation to chase clout, stressing that Poco Lee needed the support of his friends.
Instagram influencer Sulaaaaaa also expressed support for the dancer and urged people to refrain from spreading unverified claims about him.
What happens next?
Poco Lee is expected to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15 for plea and trial preparation. The hearing will mark the next stage in the court proceedings against him.
Poco Lee has not been convicted of any offence, and the charges against him remain allegations to be determined by the court.
