Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The sexual offence case involving Nigerian dancer and entertainer Iweh Pascal Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, remains active in the United Kingdom, with prosecutors confirming that he is still scheduled to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on September 15, 2026.
The confirmation comes amid reports circulating online claiming that the entertainer had been released from custody and that the complainant had withdrawn from the case or that the matter had been settled.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), however, has confirmed that the criminal proceedings remain ongoing.
According to the CPS, Poco Lee remains listed for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15.
“This case is still live, and Odinaka is still set to appear for a PTPH at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 15 September 2026,” the CPS Press Office said, according to reporting by The Times Nigeria.
The clarification provides the latest authoritative information on the status of the proceedings as uncertainty surrounding the case continues to circulate across social media.
CPS confirms September 15 hearing
The September 15 appearance is not a full criminal trial. It is a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing, a stage of the UK criminal justice process where issues relating to the defendant’s plea and preparations for a possible trial are considered.
Snaresbrook Crown Court had previously confirmed that the matter was formally listed for plea and trial preparation on September 15.
In correspondence cited by several Nigerian media organisations, the court’s administration confirmed that the case was officially listed but said the precise courtroom and hearing time would only become available shortly before the proceedings.
The court also confirmed that criminal hearings are generally open to the public, subject to applicable restrictions.
The latest CPS confirmation therefore removes significant uncertainty over whether the proceedings were still active.
Release reports remain unconfirmed
The latest clarification is particularly significant because claims about Poco Lee’s alleged release have circulated online.
However, the CPS has not confirmed that the entertainer has been released, nor has it confirmed whether he is currently being held in custody or has been granted bail.
The prosecution service also did not confirm claims that the complainant had withdrawn from the case or that the matter had been settled.
An inquiry to Snaresbrook Crown Court concerning his current custody or bail status had not received a response at the time of the latest report.
This means that claims concerning his current custody status should not be presented as established fact unless confirmed by an authoritative source.
For Weng Global, the distinction is important: the existence and continuation of the court proceedings have been confirmed, while claims concerning his release or the withdrawal of the case have not.
Five sexual offence charges reported
Previous court information reported by Premium Times and PUNCH states that Poco Lee faces five sexual offence charges in the UK.
They comprise:
- One count of attempted rape
- Two counts of rape
- Two counts of assault by penetration
Snaresbrook Crown Court reportedly confirmed the charges in correspondence with journalists and stated that a reporting restriction is in place to protect the complainant’s anonymity.
The reporting restriction is particularly important in a case involving alleged sexual offences because information capable of identifying the complainant must not be published where protected by the relevant legal order.
Weng Global will therefore not publish information that could identify the complainant.
Court proceedings remain allegations, not conviction
The charges against Poco Lee remain allegations.
He has not been convicted of any offence in connection with the UK proceedings, and the court process must determine the case according to the applicable rules of evidence and criminal procedure.
The distinction between being charged and being convicted is particularly important in reporting criminal cases.
A criminal charge means that prosecutors have brought allegations before the court. It does not, by itself, establish that the defendant committed the alleged offences.
The presumption of innocence therefore remains applicable unless and until guilt is established through the judicial process.
Poco Lee’s team previously urged caution
The development follows an earlier statement from Poco Lee’s management and legal team urging the public and media to avoid spreading unverified claims about the proceedings.
The team specifically disputed reports linking the case to alleged “drink spiking”, saying such claims did not form part of the allegations or charges before the UK court.
The management also stressed that allegations should not be treated as proof of guilt and that the matter should be allowed to proceed through the appropriate legal process.
The statement highlights the difficulty surrounding the case, particularly because details circulated online before the UK court publicly confirmed the charges.
How the case emerged
Reports concerning Poco Lee’s alleged detention in the United Kingdom began circulating widely on Nigerian social media in August 2026.
The entertainer had travelled to the UK earlier that month and performed at the Davido and Friends concert at Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14.
Reports of his detention emerged several days later, initially accompanied by limited information about the nature of the proceedings.
The subsequent confirmation from Snaresbrook Crown Court provided more information about the case and established that a matter involving Iweh Odinaka was formally before the court.
The court later confirmed the five sexual offence charges and the September 15 PTPH listing.
Separate US allegation should not be confused with UK case
Another allegation involving Poco Lee has also circulated in connection with the renewed attention surrounding the UK proceedings.
Nigerian rapper Ms Jorji has previously made a separate public allegation concerning an alleged incident in Dallas, Texas, in 2024.
However, available reporting has found no verified connection between that separate allegation and the criminal proceedings currently before Snaresbrook Crown Court.
The two matters should therefore be treated separately unless competent authorities establish a connection.
What happens on September 15?
The September 15 hearing is expected to be an important procedural stage in the UK case.
A Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing allows the court to deal with the defendant’s plea and prepare the case for the next stage of proceedings.
It is therefore important not to describe September 15 as the date of Poco Lee’s trial unless the court subsequently confirms that the hearing has been converted into or forms part of a trial.
The court has already confirmed that the September 15 listing is specifically for plea and trial preparation.
Further information about the case could become available through the court process, subject to reporting restrictions and other legal limitations.
Why the latest confirmation matters
The CPS confirmation provides an important correction to the conflicting information circulating online.
While social media reports have raised questions about whether the entertainer had been released and whether the complainant had withdrawn the case, prosecutors have confirmed that the case remains active.
That means the September 15 court appearance remains the key confirmed next development.
At the same time, the absence of confirmation regarding Poco Lee’s current custody or bail status means those details should not be assumed.
For readers following the case, the most reliable information remains that which comes directly from the UK courts, the CPS, the defence or other authorised sources.
What readers should know next
Poco Lee remains scheduled to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15, 2026, for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing.
The CPS has confirmed that the case remains active.
Reports claiming that the case has been withdrawn or settled have not been confirmed by the CPS, while the prosecution service has also not publicly confirmed Poco Lee’s current custody or bail status.
The entertainer faces five reported sexual offence charges, including attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration. Those allegations remain to be determined through the UK judicial process.
As the case proceeds, Weng Global will continue to distinguish between confirmed court information, allegations, statements from interested parties and unverified claims circulating online.
The September 15 hearing is therefore the next confirmed milestone in the proceedings.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Crown Prosecution Service — confirmation that the case remains active and that Poco Lee is listed for a September 15 PTPH.
- Snaresbrook Crown Court — confirmation of the September 15 plea and trial preparation hearing.
- Premium Times — reporting on the five sexual offence charges and court proceedings.
- PUNCH — reporting on the charges and reporting restriction.
- Premium Times — statement from Poco Lee’s management concerning unverified claims.
