The driver responsible for the tragic accident that claimed the lives of two close friends of boxer Anthony Joshua has been charged with reckless and dangerous driving. Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, aged 46, was driving Joshua, along with Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami in a black Lexus Jeep when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. Following the accident, Kayode received medical treatment in Lagos before being transferred to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state.
Kayode was questioned extensively and provided an official statement regarding the events leading up to the crash, which resulted in the deaths of Ghami and Ayodele. He had initially fled the scene but was later apprehended by the police and has now been charged in the Sagamu Magistrate Court. The defendant was granted bail set at five million naira ($3,480) with two sureties and is currently remanded until meeting the bail conditions.
Prosecutors have filed four charges against Kayode, including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s license. The case has been adjourned until January 20 for further proceedings.
Following the accident, Anthony Joshua, who sustained minor injuries, has been discharged from the hospital. He paid his respects to Ghami and Ayodele at a funeral home before their repatriation to the UK. Meanwhile, details from the preliminary investigation suggest that the crash was caused by a tire blowout due to speeding.
The truck involved in the accident was found to be parked illegally before the collision. As investigations continue, tributes and condolences have poured in for the deceased individuals, with figures from the boxing community expressing their sympathies and support for Joshua during this difficult time.
The tragic incident has raised uncertainties about Joshua’s future fights, including a proposed match with Tyson Fury, as the aftermath of the crash may impact the timeline for potential bouts between the two heavyweight boxers.