Poco Lee rape charges: Nigerian dancer Iweh Pascal Odinaka is due to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15, 2026, over five sexual offence charges.
Poco Lee rape charges will come before Snaresbrook Crown Court in London as Nigerian dancer Iweh Pascal Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, is scheduled to appear for plea and trial preparation on September 15, 2026.
The entertainer was charged with five sexual offences following an incident in London after the Davido and Friends event on August 14, 2026. The case has attracted considerable attention online, while his management has urged the public to avoid speculation and stressed that he remains innocent unless proven guilty.
Poco Lee Charges Confirmed By Snaresbrook Crown Court
According to correspondence from Snaresbrook Crown Court, Poco Lee is facing five charges: attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.
Court Admin Team Leader James Baker confirmed the charges while responding to media enquiries, stating: “The defendant has been charged with: Attempted rape, 2x Rape, 2x Assault by penetration.” The court has also imposed a reporting restriction to protect the identity of the complainant under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992.
Baker further confirmed that the case is “currently listed at Snaresbrook Crown Court for plea and trial preparation on the 15th September 2026.”
The exact time and courtroom details are expected to be released closer to the hearing date. Criminal court hearings are generally open to the public, subject to any restrictions imposed by the court.
How Poco Lee Was Arrested In London
News of Poco Lee’s detention began circulating online on August 19, 2026, about five days after he performed at the Davido and Friends event at Crystal Palace Bowl in London.
Early accounts centred on an alleged payment dispute that reportedly escalated at a hotel. Some claims also suggested that he appeared confused and intoxicated before police became involved.
UK-based Nigerian community advocate Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as the Oluomo of Derby, confirmed that Poco Lee was being held on remand in a UK prison ahead of the hearing.
The court has not publicly released further details about the circumstances surrounding the allegations, while the complainant’s identity remains protected under the reporting restriction.
Management Responds To Drink-Spiking Claims
Poco Lee’s management has also responded to several claims circulating online, particularly allegations involving drink spiking.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the management team addressed what it described as “a volume of unverified narratives currently circulating.”The team specifically rejected claims that “drink spiking” was included in the charge sheet, saying the allegation does not form part of the charges before the court.
“We ask the public and media to desist from introducing details that are not part of the actual case, as doing so only fuels misinformation and causes unfair prejudice to all parties involved,” the statement read.
The management stressed that Poco Lee “had not been convicted of any offence” and that the charges remained allegations to be determined by the court.
They added: “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.”
Colleagues And Fans React To Poco Lee Case
The case has prompted mixed reactions across social media platforms, including X and Instagram. Music video director TG Omori and dancer Rahman Jago were among those who reacted publicly. Omori wrote: “It breaks my heart to hear Poco Lee in this sort of mess. That’s the purest soul I have ever met. The devil really works overtime.”
Benjamin Kuti also said he plans to attend the September 15 proceedings “as part of my support for members of the Nigerian community in the UK, to ensure that our fellow Nigerian receives the appropriate support during this difficult period of his life.” He also called for patience, saying: “It is important that we allow the legal process to take its course. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
Across social media, reactions have ranged from prayers and support for Poco Lee to calls for justice and warnings against drawing conclusions before the case is heard.
Who Is Poco Lee?
Iweh Pascal Odinaka became widely known after appearing in Zlatan Ibile’s 2018 hit “Zanku (Legwork)” music video.
He has since established himself as a dancer, hypeman and entertainer, working with leading Nigerian artistes including Davido, Burna Boy, Olamide and Naira Marley.
Poco Lee has also built a substantial following through dance performances, comedy skits and appearances at major concerts in Nigeria and abroad. His London trip was connected to the Davido and Friends event at Crystal Palace Bowl, where he performed on August 14.
What To Expect At The September 15 Hearing
The September 15 proceeding has been listed as a plea and trial preparation hearing. At the hearing, Poco Lee is expected to indicate whether he intends to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges.
The court has not found him guilty of the allegations, and the presumption of innocence remains in place unless and until a conviction is reached following the legal process. If a not-guilty plea is entered, the case can proceed towards trial. The timing of any trial will depend on the court’s schedule and the circumstances of the case.
The reporting restriction also means that certain information capable of identifying the complainant cannot be published.
The Case And The Wider Conversation
The Poco Lee case has renewed conversations around celebrity conduct, consent and legal accountability, particularly when public figures face allegations while travelling or working abroad.
It has also drawn attention to the speed at which unverified claims can spread online. His management has therefore continued to urge members of the public and media organisations to stick to information that has been formally confirmed.
At this stage, no conviction has been recorded. The allegations remain unproven and will be dealt with through the court process.
Poco Lee’s management has said further information will be shared through official channels when appropriate. Attention now turns to Snaresbrook Crown Court, where the entertainer is scheduled to appear on September 15, 2026.
