Nigerian authorities have formally charged the driver employed by former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua following a catastrophic highway collision that resulted in the deaths of two key team members and left Joshua injured. The incident occurred on Monday along the densely trafficked Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun State.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, faced four distinct charges at the Sagamu Magistrates’ Court this Friday, as confirmed by police sources to the BBC. The charges encompass causing death by dangerous driving, operating a vehicle recklessly and negligently, driving without due care and attention, and critically, driving without a valid license. The court granted Mr. Kayode bail set at 5,000,000 Naira (approximately £2,578), remanding him until the bail conditions are satisfied. The judicial proceedings have been adjourned until January 20th.
The fatal crash claimed the lives of Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene after the Lexus SUV, in which Joshua was a passenger, collided with a stationary truck. Joshua sustained injuries and received hospital treatment before being discharged on Wednesday.
In an official joint statement, officials from Ogun and Lagos states conveyed the British-Nigerian boxer’s profound grief, describing him as ‘heavy hearted’ over the loss of his close friends and colleagues. Following his release from medical care, Joshua visited the funeral home where the bodies of the deceased were being prepared for repatriation.
The tragedy struck just hours after Joshua shared a light-hearted Instagram video of himself playing table tennis with Mr. Ayodele, underscoring the personal bond between them. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s long-time promoter, expressed his condolences on social media, paying tribute to the ‘energy and loyalty’ of the departed team members and offering prayers for their families and for Joshua during this challenging period.
Joshua, who has familial roots in the Sagamu area near the crash site, was reportedly en route to visit relatives for New Year celebrations at the time of the accident. The boxer had been in Nigeria following his recent victory in a high-profile bout against Jake Paul on December 19th. Paul himself responded to the news on X, emphasizing that ‘life is much more important than boxing’ and expressing his prayers for all those affected.