Popular Nigerian dancer and socialite Iweh Odinaka, better known as Poco Lee, is being held on remand in the United Kingdom and is expected to appear before a London court in September over an alleged assault offence, according to Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as the Oluomo of Derby, founder of the community of Nigerians in the United Kingdom.
Kuti, who confirmed the development in a conversation with our correspondent on Monday, said Poco Lee is currently in a UK prison and is scheduled to appear before the Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15, 2026, at exactly 10 am.
Kuti said he was privy to the development because he regularly attends court proceedings and supports Nigerians involved in legal matters in the UK.
“I can confirm that the reports are true. Poco Lee is currently on remand in a UK prison. His next court date is scheduled for the second week of September, when he is expected to have a plea hearing,” he said.
He explained that a plea hearing would ordinarily involve the accused entering either a guilty or not-guilty plea.
Kuti added that he planned to attend the proceedings as part of his support for members of the Nigerian community in the UK.
“I will also be attending the court proceedings as part of my support for the Nigerian community in the UK, to ensure that our fellow Nigerian receives the appropriate support during this difficult period of his life.
“It is important that we allow the legal process to take its course. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. His hearing would be at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15, 2026, at exactly 10 am,” Kuti said.
Reports of Poco Lee’s alleged detention in the UK began circulating online on August 19.
Early reports, not PUNCH Online, however, did not disclose the identity of the alleged complainant, the circumstances of the alleged offence or whether formal charges had been filed. Several reports also noted that UK police or a court had not initially independently confirmed the arrest.
Meanwhile, an email sent to the court to confirm the details of the trial had not yet been answered at the time of filing this report.
(Punch)
