THE UK court handling the case against Nigerian dancer and hypeman Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, has fixed February 8, 2027, for his plea hearing, while his trial is scheduled to begin on March 8.
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 comes days after the dancer was granted bail by the UK court.
The court confirmed on September 14 that 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 had earlier confirmed that the case remained active and that Odinaka was expected to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15.
Poco Lee faces five sexual offence charges in the UK – two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and two counts of assault by penetration.
The alleged offences were said to have occurred in Tower Hamlets, east London, on July 23, 2026.
Odinaka first appeared before Thames Magistrates’ Court on August 18 before the case was transferred to Snaresbrook Crown Court.
He has denied the allegations and maintained that he is innocent.
Speaking in a video call shared by social commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, after his release from detention, Poco Lee said he remained confident because he knew he did not commit the offences he was accused of.
“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,” he said.
He also thanked Afrobeats singer Burna Boy, Rahman Jago and others who supported him during his detention.
Poco Lee travelled to the UK in August for the Davido and Friends concert at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14.
The case remains before the UK court, with the plea hearing now scheduled for February 8, 2027, and the trial expected to commence on March 8.
