UK Court Confirms Rape & 4 Other Sexual Offence Charges Against UK court confirms rape, four other sexual offence charges against Poco Lee

Nigerian dancer and entertainer Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, has been formally charged in the United Kingdom with five sexual offences, including two counts of rape.

The court’s Admin Team Leader, James Baker, confirmed the charges in correspondence with PUNCH and said the case is listed for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 15 September.

“The defendant has been charged with: Attempted rape, 2x Rape, 2x Assault by penetration,” Mr Baker said.

The disclosure provides the clearest official account yet of the case against Poco Lee since reports of his detention in the UK emerged earlier this month.

The court also confirmed that a reporting restriction is in place to protect the complainant’s identity.

Mr Baker said the restriction protects the complainant’s anonymity under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992. This means information capable of identifying the complainant must not be published.

Poco Lee has not been convicted of any offence. The charges remain allegations to be determined through the UK judicial process, and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Poco Lee was being held on remand in a UK prison, according to Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as the Oluomo of Derby and founder of the Community of Nigerians in the United Kingdom.

Mr Kuti, who has said he supports Nigerians involved in legal proceedings in the UK, confirmed that the entertainer was in custody and expected to return to court in September.

Snaresbrook Crown Court has since confirmed 15 September as the date for Poco Lee’s plea and trial preparation hearing.

The hearing represents the next stage of the criminal proceedings and is not the trial itself.

The information released by the court does not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences.