Nigerian dancer and socialite Iweh Pascal Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, is facing multiple sexual-offence charges in the United Kingdom.
Snaresbrook Crown Court in London reportedly confirmed that the entertainer has been charged with attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.
The allegations remain unproven, and Poco Lee has not been convicted of any offence. The case will be determined through the UK judicial process.
What charges does Poco Lee face?
In an official response to an inquiry by NewsOnline, Snaresbrook Crown Court’s Admin Team Leader, James Baker, listed the charges against Poco Lee as:
- One count of attempted rape;
- Two counts of rape; and
- Two counts of assault by penetration.
The court also confirmed that a reporting restriction applies to the proceedings under Section 1 of the UK’s Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.
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The restriction protects the complainant’s identity. Details that could directly or indirectly identify the complainant must therefore not be published.
When will Poco Lee appear in court?
Poco Lee is scheduled to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15, 2026, for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
During the hearing, he is expected to enter a plea to the charges, while the court will consider arrangements for the subsequent stages of the case.
The court said the exact hearing time and courtroom would become available closer to the date. Criminal court proceedings are generally open to the public, subject to applicable restrictions.
How did reports of his detention emerge?
Reports about Poco Lee’s detention initially circulated online before Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as Oluomo of Derby, said the dancer was being held on remand in a UK prison.
Kuti, the founder of the Community of Nigerians in the United Kingdom, said he regularly attended court proceedings and supported Nigerians involved in legal matters.
He stated that Poco Lee was awaiting a plea hearing scheduled for the second week of September.
Snaresbrook Crown Court subsequently confirmed the September 15 hearing, while later correspondence reportedly disclosed the specific charges.
Why was Poco Lee in the United Kingdom?
Poco Lee travelled to the United Kingdom in August for the Davido and Friends concert held at Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14, 2026.
Social media posts, photographs and videos from the event showed him alongside Nigerian singer Davido and other entertainment personalities.
Reports of his detention emerged several days after the event. However, no publicly verified account has established a connection between the concert and the alleged offences.
What has his management said?
Poco Lee’s management and legal team have urged the public and media to avoid drawing conclusions before the court determines the case.
In a statement signed by Adedoyin Faleye, the management stressed that criminal allegations should not be treated as proof of guilt.
“Allegations are not evidence of guilt, and no conclusions should be drawn until the matter has been heard and determined through the appropriate legal process,” the statement said.
The management also rejected social media narratives alleging that the case involved drink spiking, saying the claim did not form part of the charges before the court.
It urged media organisations and members of the public not to introduce unverified information into the case, noting that Poco Lee remained entitled to a fair hearing and due process.
How have his colleagues reacted?
Some of Poco Lee’s friends and entertainment-industry colleagues have publicly expressed concern and support following reports of his detention.
Filmmaker TG Omori described the dancer as “the purest soul” he had encountered, while socialite Rahman Jago said he believed there was more to the case than the information circulating online.
Jago also urged social media users not to exploit the situation for attention. Influencer Sulaaaaaa similarly appealed to the public to stop spreading unverified claims.
Their expressions of support do not affect the legal proceedings or determine the truth of the allegations.
What happens next?
Poco Lee’s next scheduled appearance is the plea and trial preparation hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15.
The hearing will determine his plea and provide further direction on how the case will proceed.
Until the court reaches a verdict, Poco Lee is presumed innocent under the law. The complainant’s statutory anonymity must also be respected throughout the proceedings
