LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian dancer Iweh Odinaka, known professionally as Poco Lee, has denied wrongdoing in his first public remarks since reports that he left custody in the United Kingdom. A separate video shows him with Burna Boy, but prosecutors say the criminal case remains active ahead of a scheduled hearing on 15 September 2026.
What is the latest update in Poco Lee's UK case? Poco Lee has appeared publicly and denied the accusations against him. The Crown Prosecution Service says the case remains live and his September 15 hearing is still scheduled. UK authorities have not publicly confirmed his custody status, bail conditions or claims that the complainant withdrew.
What Poco Lee said
Poco Lee spoke during a video call with Nigerian commentator Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan. In footage embedded by Vanguard, the dancer said he did not commit the offence of which he is accused and described his mind as clear.
The statement is a denial, not a court finding. The allegations remain unresolved and must be determined through the legal process. Nothing in the video establishes an acquittal, withdrawal of charges or end to the prosecution.
A separate clip showed Poco Lee with Afrobeats star Burna Boy. Premium Times reported that the appearance was the clearest public indication that he was no longer in custody. The outlet also noted that British authorities had not explained the circumstances or conditions of any release.
The case is still active
The Crown Prosecution Service told Nigerian media on 12 September that the case remained live and that Odinaka was still listed for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 15 September. That clarification came after social-media claims that the complainant had withdrawn and that the case had ended.
Those claims have not been confirmed by the CPS or the court. Premium Times said the CPS did not verify a withdrawal and did not disclose the terms under which Poco Lee may have left custody. A social-media caption describing him as being on bail is therefore not enough to establish his legal status.
XTRAfrica's earlier report on the Poco Lee case and Nigeria's consent debate should be updated, not replaced with a second near-identical page. Its statement that he remained in custody is now overtaken by the public appearance, while its description of the active case and September hearing remains current.
JUSTICE
Poco Lee Speaks Publicly as UK Case Remains Active
Sep 14, 2026
Sep 14, 2026
4 min read
Published
Updated:
LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian dancer Iweh Odinaka, known professionally as Poco Lee, has denied wrongdoing in his first public remarks since reports that he left custody in the United Kingdom. A separate video shows him with Burna Boy, but prosecutors say the criminal case remains active ahead of a scheduled hearing on 15 September 2026.
What is the latest update in Poco Lee's UK case? Poco Lee has appeared publicly and denied the accusations against him. The Crown Prosecution Service says the case remains live and his September 15 hearing is still scheduled. UK authorities have not publicly confirmed his custody status, bail conditions or claims that the complainant withdrew.
What Poco Lee said
Poco Lee spoke during a video call with Nigerian commentator Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan. In footage embedded by Vanguard, the dancer said he did not commit the offence of which he is accused and described his mind as clear.
The statement is a denial, not a court finding. The allegations remain unresolved and must be determined through the legal process. Nothing in the video establishes an acquittal, withdrawal of charges or end to the prosecution.
A separate clip showed Poco Lee with Afrobeats star Burna Boy. Premium Times reported that the appearance was the clearest public indication that he was no longer in custody. The outlet also noted that British authorities had not explained the circumstances or conditions of any release.
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The case is still active
The Crown Prosecution Service told Nigerian media on 12 September that the case remained live and that Odinaka was still listed for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 15 September. That clarification came after social-media claims that the complainant had withdrawn and that the case had ended.
Those claims have not been confirmed by the CPS or the court. Premium Times said the CPS did not verify a withdrawal and did not disclose the terms under which Poco Lee may have left custody. A social-media caption describing him as being on bail is therefore not enough to establish his legal status.
XTRAfrica's earlier report on the Poco Lee case and Nigeria's consent debate should be updated, not replaced with a second near-identical page. Its statement that he remained in custody is now overtaken by the public appearance, while its description of the active case and September hearing remains current.
What the September 15 hearing may address
A plea and trial preparation hearing is a Crown Court procedure that can record a defendant's plea and organise the next stages of a case. It is not itself proof of guilt or innocence. Official listings can also change, so the most reliable next update will be the court record after the hearing.
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HM Courts and Tribunals Service publishes Crown Court hearing information through official listing services. The important facts to confirm after the hearing will include any plea entered, whether bail or remand is recorded, future dates and any additional reporting directions.
Until then, Poco Lee's appearance and denial do not change the prosecution's confirmed status. Likewise, an unverified claim about release does not mean the charges were dismissed.
The charges remain allegations
Odinaka faces five sexual-offence charges: one count of attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration, according to the court information reported by Nigerian media. The alleged offences are said to have occurred in Tower Hamlets, east London, on 23 July.
He has not been convicted of an offence. The presumption of innocence applies, and his denial should be reported alongside the fact that the case remains before the court. Public commentary should not attempt to decide the evidence before a plea or trial.
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The complainant is protected by a reporting restriction. The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 generally prevents publication of information likely to identify a complainant in covered sexual-offence proceedings. Names, photographs, addresses and indirect clues must not be circulated.
What remains unconfirmed
Three central questions remain open before the hearing: Poco Lee's formal custody or bail status, whether a plea will be entered, and the timetable that follows. UK authorities have also not endorsed claims that Burna Boy or Rahman Jago secured his release.
The responsible update is narrow. Poco Lee has appeared publicly, he has denied wrongdoing, and the CPS says the case is active. Claims that the complainant withdrew, the charges were dropped or the dancer was cleared remain unsupported by the accessible court record.
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