The management of Nigerian dancer and singer Poco Lee, real name Iweh Pascal Odinaka, has issued its first official statement since reports of his arrest in the United Kingdom over a sexual assault allegation, confirming that the matter is now before UK courts and urging the public not to treat allegations as proof of guilt.
In a public notice dated August 25, the management team said it was aware of the ongoing public discussion around the allegations against their client and called on the public, media and well-meaning individuals to exercise restraint while the matter proceeds through the legal process.
Management Statement on Allegations and Drink-Spiking Claims
The statement read: "Allegations are not evidence of guilt, and no conclusions should be drawn until the matter has been heard and determined through the appropriate legal process."
The team specifically pushed back against certain claims circulating online, including references to "drink spiking," stating that such details do not form part of the actual allegations or charges before the court.
"We ask the public and media to desist from introducing details that are not part of the actual case, as doing so only fuels misinformation and causes unfair prejudice to all parties involved," the statement said.
Timeline of Arrest and Separate Accusation
Reports of Poco Lee's arrest first surfaced on August 19, with outlets reporting that he had been detained in the UK in connection with a sexual assault allegation. Details such as the identity of the alleged victim and the specific circumstances of the case remained unclear at the time, and no UK police force or court had issued a public statement confirming the arrest.
As the story gained traction, a separate accusation surfaced from Ms Jorji, a Texas-based Nigerian rapper, who alleged in videos shared online that Poco Lee had attempted to sexually assault her and her girlfriend approximately two years earlier during a visit to his home in Dallas. She said she was coming forward because she believed the allegations tied to the UK case. Her claims have not been independently verified by any court or law enforcement body, and no connection has been established between her account and the UK case.
Remand and Upcoming Plea Hearing
Around the same period, Poco Lee's associate, Tunde Perry, publicly defended him in a video posted online, saying the allegations did not reflect the character of the man he knows personally.
By August 24, a source identified as Oluomo of Derby confirmed via social media that Poco Lee was being held on remand in a UK prison, with a plea hearing scheduled for the second week of September, where he is expected to indicate whether he will plead guilty or not guilty.
Poco Lee rose to prominence in 2018 after appearing in Zlatan Ibile's "Zanku (Legwork)" music video, going on to build a career as one of Nigeria's most recognisable dancers, hype men and MCs, working closely with artists including Davido, Burna Boy, Olamide and Naira Marley.
His management team said further updates would be shared through official channels as the case proceeds, and thanked the public for its patience and restraint during the process.
