Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom after surviving a tragic road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members.
The fatal crash occurred on Monday, December 29, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun, while Joshua was travelling in a Lexus SUV to Sagamu to spend the New Year with family. The accident involved a stationary truck and resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, both of whom were part of Joshua’s inner circle.
Joshua, who sustained minor injuries, was taken to hospital following the crash and was later discharged on New Year’s Eve. According to a report by the BBC, the 36-year-old boxer has since flown back to the UK.
“Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has flown back to the UK after a fatal car crash that killed two of his close friends in Nigeria,” the BBC report read.
The funerals of the deceased, Ghami and Ayodele, are scheduled to hold on Sunday at the London Central Mosque, according to Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, has been charged by the Ogun State Police Command with causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a valid licence. Police confirmed that Kayode was granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million, pending the fulfilment of bail conditions, with the case adjourned until January 20.
Kayode’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, has publicly defended his father, maintaining that the crash was the result of mechanical failure rather than reckless driving.
“Dad is not a fast driver; he was following the speed limit when the brakes failed,” Ifeoluwa told the Daily Mail.
“He said he was pushing the pedal, but nothing was happening. He’s been driving for Anthony for three years; he’s a good driver. It’s not his fault. If the truck wasn’t parked there illegally, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Further details about the crash were revealed by Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, who disclosed that Joshua narrowly escaped death after a last-minute seat change inside the vehicle.
“I understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat, but the driver asked him to swap seats,” Abiodun told the Daily Mail.
“He did this because Anthony is a big fellow, and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly, so he asked him to move, and he sat behind the driver. From what I understand, Latif was in front and then changed seats with Anthony.”
The tragic incident came just 10 days after Joshua’s knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami, making the loss even more shocking for fans and the boxing community.
Following the crash, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their prayers and support. Both governors also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for his backing during the difficult period.
