Poco Lee’s friends rally round dancer after arrest in UK

Friends and colleagues of Nigerian dancer and socialite, Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, have rallied behind him following reports that he is being held on remand in the United Kingdom over an alleged assault offence.

Poco Lee’s associates, in separate posts on social media, described him as a kind-hearted person and urged the public not to rush to conclusions while the legal process is ongoing.

Filmmaker TG Omori, who said he had known Poco Lee for years, described the dancer as “the purest soul” he had ever met.

“It breaks my heart to hear Poco Lee in this sort of mess. That’s the purest soul I have ever met. The devil really works overtime,” he wrote on X on Monday.

Following reactions to his post, Omori clarified that his comments should not be interpreted as support for sexual offences or opposition to justice.

“What part of my tweet is defending sex crimes. I have known poco Lee for years and he’s been a brother and a friend with so much potentials and positivities. Voicing out my disappointment about this news doesn’t mean I’m standing against justice or supporting sex offenders,” he added.

Another friend, socialite Rahman Jago, whose X handle is @rahman_jago_, said it was painful to see Poco Lee facing such a serious situation.

“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,” he wrote.

He urged people not to use the situation to seek attention, adding, “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.”

Instagram influencer Sulaaaaaaa also expressed support for the dancer, urging people to refrain from spreading unverified claims about him.

“If this guy has never done anything wrong to you in any way and you start spreading lies and rumours about him, Before you start spreading lies, just remember the day you will also be in a situation that only God will be your witness,” he wrote.

He described Poco Lee as “a man with a good heart” and expressed confidence that he would receive support during the situation.

PUNCH Online had reported that Poco Lee was being held on remand in the UK and was expected to appear before the Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on September 15, 2026, over an alleged assault offence.

Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as the Oluomo of Derby and founder of the community of Nigerians in the UK, confirmed the development in a conversation with our correspondent on Monday.

Kuti said Poco Lee was currently in a UK prison and was scheduled to appear in court at 10am on September 15 for a plea hearing.

“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,” he said.

He explained that a plea hearing would ordinarily involve the accused entering either a guilty or not-guilty plea.

Kuti said he planned to attend the proceedings as part of his support for members of the Nigerian community in the UK.

“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.

“It is important that we allow the legal process to take its course. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. His hearing would be at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15, 2026, at exactly 10 am,” Kuti said.

Reports of Poco Lee’s alleged detention in the UK began circulating online on August 19.

However, the initial reports did not disclose the identity of the alleged complainant, the circumstances of the alleged offence or whether formal charges had been filed. UK police or a court had also not initially independently confirmed the arrest.

Meanwhile, an email sent to the court seeking confirmation of the case had not been answered at the time of filing this report.