Poco Lee granted bail as UK sexual offences case heads to court

Nigerian dancer and entertainer Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, has been granted bail in the United Kingdom ahead of a critical court appearance tomorrow, while insisting he is innocent of the serious sexual offence charges he faces.

Snaresbrook Crown Court confirmed on Monday that Odinaka was released on bail on September 11. He is scheduled to appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) at the same court on Tuesday, September 15. The Crown Prosecution Service has stated that the case remains active and has not been withdrawn or settled.

Odinaka faces five charges: one count of attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration. The allegations relate to an incident said to have occurred in Tower Hamlets, east London, on July 23. He first appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court in mid-August before the matter was transferred to Snaresbrook. A reporting restriction under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 protects the identity of the complainant.
In a video conversation with social commentator VeryDarkMan (Martins Otse), shared on Instagram on Sunday, Poco Lee addressed the ordeal for the first time. He said he remained calm throughout because he knew he had done nothing wrong.

“I was just being myself; God sees my heart. My only worries were about my people: Jago could not do anything business-wise; I didn’t want to stress anyone,” he said. “If I were inside there and I did what I was accused of, I would have felt I was paying for my sins, but since I knew I didn’t do what I was accused of, my mind is pure. Nobody would have wanted to associate themselves with something like that, but Burna Boy stood by me, Jago, and some of my other guys.”

ADVERTISEMENT

VeryDarkMan expressed support for the dancer and acknowledged the backing shown by Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy and social media personality Rahman Jago.

The legal proceedings followed Poco Lee’s visit to the UK for the Davido and Friends concert at Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14. Earlier social media reports had claimed he had been released from custody, that the complainant had withdrawn, or that the matter had been resolved out of court. Officials have repeatedly clarified that the prosecution continues.

Poco Lee has denied the allegations and has not been convicted of any offence. The case remains before the court for determination.