Poco Lee’s management has publicly defended Zlatan Ibile after days of online attacks that painted the rapper as a friend who vanished when the dancer’s United Kingdom case exploded. In a notice posted on Instagram, the team said Zlatan had been working behind the scenes all along.
“We would like to publicly acknowledge that Zlatan, along with others, has been extremely supportive and helpful through this matter. Their involvement, support, and effort have been vital to moving things forward. We deeply value their ongoing support and dedication and we kindly request that everyone refrain from spreading negative narratives.”
The backlash started after a conversation shared by commentator VeryDarkMan. In that clip, Poco Lee thanked Burna Boy and Rahman Jago for standing by him and did not mention Zlatan. Many fans read the omission as proof that the man who first put the dancer on a national stage had gone quiet. Zlatan then posted two words on X:
“Crazy industry.”
He did not name anyone. The internet filled in the rest.
That history made the silence look personal. Poco Lee, born Iweh Pascal Odinaka, broke through after Zlatan featured him in the Zanku (Legwork) video. The dancer later cited Zlatan as a major influence. When reports of a UK arrest surfaced in mid-August 2026, some critics argued that loyalty should have been loud. Management’s notice now says the help was real, just not performed for the timeline.
The court case itself remains unresolved. Poco Lee faces charges at Snaresbrook Crown Court that include attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration. He was granted bail on September 11, 2026. A plea and trial preparation hearing set for September 15 was adjourned after the charge sheet was unavailable. The next hearing is listed for February 8, 2027, with a trial pencilled for March 8, 2027. A reporting restriction protects the complainant’s identity.
Fans who had dragged Zlatan switched tone within hours. One user wrote:
“Just because some don’t come out and say what they do doesn’t mean they don’t help. Many of you insulted this guy.”
Another said:
“They’ve been dragging Zlatan on twitter. I like the way the management clear the air.”