Poco Lee’s UK pre-trial fixed for February 2027
The pre-trial hearing of Nigerian dancer and entertainer, Iweh Odinaka, a.k.a. Poco Lee, has been adjouned until February 2027.
Poco Lee appeared before the Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on Tuesday over five sexual offence charges comprising one count of attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.
The September 15 plea could not proceed because the charge sheet was unavailable; the court set a new pre-trial hearing for February 8, 2027, and scheduled the trial to begin on March 8, 2027.
The development followed proceedings at the Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on Tuesday, September 15.
The former president of Nigerians in the United Kingdom, Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as Oluomo of Derby, who attended the proceedings, disclosed the new dates in an update after the hearing, urging the public to allow the judicial process to run its course.
The latest development came days after the dancer was granted bail by the UK court.
The court confirmed on September 14 that Mr Odinaka was granted bail on September 11, ahead of his scheduled appearance on September 15 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
The Crown Prosecution Service earlier confirmed that the case remained active and that Mr Odinaka was expected to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15.
The alleged offences were said to have occurred in Tower Hamlets, east London, on July 23, 2026.
Mr Odinaka first appeared before Thames Magistrates’ Court on August 18 before the case was transferred to Snaresbrook Crown Court.
He denied the allegations and maintained he is innocent.
(NAN)
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