The pre-trial hearing for Nigerian entertainer Iweh Pascal Odinaka, professionally known as Poco Lee, has been adjourned to February 2027 by a United Kingdom court after the dancer was unable to enter a plea.
Snaresbrook Crown Court rescheduled the plea and trial preparation hearing for 8 February 2027, according to a report published on Tuesday by BBC News Pidgin. The 28-year-old entertainer will be required to formally declare whether he is guilty or not guilty of the charges brought against him at the upcoming session.
The matter had been listed for Tuesday, September 15, but proceedings could not move forward as scheduled. “In court, Poco Lee did not appear because the charge sheet was not available. As a result, he did not enter a plea,” BBC News Pidgin reported.
The court also fixed the full trial date, with the report confirming: “The trial has also been scheduled for 8 March 2027.”
The adjournment comes after Snaresbrook Crown Court confirmed that the dancer was granted bail on September 11, following his initial court appearance. The plea and trial preparation hearing had originally been fixed for September 15, but the absence of the charge sheet prevented the case from advancing on the day.
Despite the procedural delay, the proceedings attracted significant attention from the UK’s Nigerian community. A crowd of supporters filled the courtroom gallery to capacity, leaving several attendees waiting outside the venue.
Speculation regarding Odinaka’s legal troubles had previously circulated across social media platforms following reports of his detention by UK authorities. Online reports later claimed he had been released on bail, while video clips surfaced showing the entertainer discussing his experiences while in the United Kingdom. Snaresbrook Crown Court subsequently verified to the BBC that he remains on bail.
A graduate of Microbiology from Lagos State University, Odinaka rose to fame around 2018 through viral videos showcasing his Zanku and legwork dance styles. His online popularity caught the attention of musician Zlatan Ibile, opening doors to high-profile collaborations with major Afrobeats stars such as Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, and Naira Marley. He later expanded his artistic output into music, releasing tracks including YARD and Otilo, and is widely credited with helping propel Nigerian street dance culture into mainstream pop media.
The legal allegations against Odinaka remain unproven in court, and he is legally presumed innocent until a verdict is delivered.