By: Odeh Favour Adiya
Popular Nigerian dancer and socialite Pascal Iweh Odinaka, widely known as Poco Lee, is currently being held on remand in a United Kingdom prison following an alleged assault offense. He is scheduled to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15, 2026, at 10:00 am for a plea hearing.
The development was confirmed by Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as the Oluomo of Derby and founder of the community of Nigerians in the United Kingdom. Kuti noted that he became aware of the situation through his routine involvement in supporting Nigerians facing legal proceedings 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,” Kuti said.
He explained that during the plea hearing, the accused will be required to enter either a guilty or not-guilty plea.
“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,” Kuti added.
“Supporting members of our community in situations like this is something I do regularly, including visiting some of our community members who are currently in prison. It is important that we allow the legal process to take its course. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
Reports of the entertainer’s alleged detention first surfaced online on August 19. Initial reports did not disclose the identity of the complainant, specific details of the alleged offense, or whether formal charges had been officially processed by UK law enforcement.
The news has sparked wide-ranging commentary across social media platforms, with prominent figures in the entertainment scene reacting to the situation.
Popular socialite Rahman Jago (@rahman_jago_) expressed support for the dancer in a post online, stating, “Seeing my brother go through such a serious and painful situation is heartbreaking. I know the person he is, and I truly believe there is more to this situation than what people may have heard, this is not the time to chase clout, we all know poco to be a joy giver and this is when he needs us the most. May we never be in situation where only God is our witness.”
An X user, Nnamdi (@_Nsznn), highlighted the potential legal stakes, noting that conviction penalties for such offenses in the UK can carry multi-year prison sentences.
Social media commentator Daniel Regha pointed to the initial quiet reaction from the entertainer’s peers, noting that many associates who previously collaborated with the dancer had remained silent when news first broke.
Meanwhile, other online users expressed mixed reactions—with some questioning the decision of community leaders to publicly offer support during ongoing criminal proceedings, while others urged the public to withhold judgment until the court reaches a verdict.
