LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian police have charged the driver of former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua with causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal road crash that claimed the lives of two members of the boxer’s inner circle.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was arraigned on multiple counts, including causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a valid licence, and driving without due care and attention, offences that also include causing bodily harm and damage to property.
He is scheduled to appear in court on January 20, according to police and court filings.
The charges stem from a crash that occurred on December 29 along the busy Lagos–Ibadan expressway in south-west Nigeria. Kayode was driving a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua, his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami, when the vehicle was involved in a high-speed collision.
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said preliminary investigations indicate the Lexus was travelling “beyond the legally prescribed speed limit” at the time of the crash.
Authorities said the vehicle suffered a tyre burst on the passenger side while attempting to overtake another car, causing the driver to lose control.
The SUV then slammed into a stationary lorry loaded with soya beans that had been illegally parked on the hard shoulder of the expressway, roughly 30 miles from Lagos. Ayodele and Ghami, both aged 36, died at the scene, according to emergency responders.
Kayode, a long-serving member of Joshua’s team, survived the crash along with the boxer, who is 36—both sustained minor injuries. Kayode was admitted to Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was kept under medical observation for two days before being discharged into police custody.
Police confirmed that Kayode has been granted bail set at five million naira (about £2,580), but he will remain in custody until all bail conditions are met.
Investigators said the case will focus on the circumstances surrounding the alleged speeding, the tyre failure, and the role of the illegally parked lorry in the fatal incident.
Following the crash, the Ogun State government said Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.
“Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time,” the state said in a statement, adding that a full medical team was assigned to monitor them.
In the days after the incident, Joshua was seen alongside his mother as he paid his respects at the funeral home where the bodies of Ayodele and Ghami were taken.
The two men were described by friends and associates as integral members of the boxer’s support team, having worked closely with him in training and conditioning.
The crash came just 10 days after Joshua had celebrated a high-profile victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the United States, about that renewed speculation about his return to elite competition.
Before the accident, the former champion was believed to be preparing for a comeback fight early this year.
Road safety has long been a concern on Nigeria’s major highways, particularly the Lagos–Ibadan expressway, which is notorious for accidents linked to speeding, mechanical failures, and illegally parked vehicles.
The FRSC has repeatedly warned motorists against excessive speed and urged haulage operators to comply with regulations on parking and vehicle maintenance.
As the case heads to court, authorities say investigations are ongoing to establish the full chain of responsibility for the crash, including whether additional charges could be brought in relation to the parked lorry.
For now, the deaths of Ayodele and Ghami have cast a shadow over Joshua’s camp, turning what was meant to be a period of sporting momentum into one of mourning and legal scrutiny.