The driver of boxer Anthony Joshua has been formally charged following a road crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two members of the boxer’s team and left Joshua injured.
Police confirmed that 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode was arraigned before the Sagamu Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State on Friday. He is facing multiple charges, including causing death by dangerous driving.
The crash occurred on Monday along the busy Lagos–Ibadan expressway when a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and members of his team slammed into a stationary truck. Joshua’s longtime personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami, died at the scene.
Joshua, a former world heavyweight champion, was taken to hospital with injuries but was discharged two days later. Images from the scene showed him being assisted from the wreckage by emergency responders.
Prosecutors filed four charges against the driver, including reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s licence. He was granted bail in the sum of five million naira and remanded in custody pending the fulfillment of bail conditions. The case has been adjourned until January 20.
Officials from Ogun and Lagos states said the boxer was deeply distressed by the deaths of Ayodele and Ghami, both of whom were described as close friends. After his discharge from hospital, Joshua visited the funeral home where the bodies were being prepared for repatriation.
Only hours before the accident, Joshua had shared a video on social media showing him playing table tennis with Ayodele, underscoring the close bond within his team.
Joshua’s long-time promoter, Eddie Hearn, paid tribute to the deceased, describing them as loyal, energetic, and deeply valued members of the team whose absence would be profoundly felt.
Born in the UK, Joshua has family ties to Sagamu, the Ogun State town near where the crash occurred. A family source said he was travelling to visit relatives ahead of New Year celebrations at the time of the accident.
The boxer had been spending time in Nigeria following his recent victory over American boxer Jake Paul on December 19. Paul later expressed his condolences, saying that life was more important than sport and offering prayers to those affected by the tragedy.