The Ogun State Police Command has arraigned the driver of the Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle involved in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of two close friends of former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua. However, the case has been adjourned to January 20, 2026, for further proceedings, Saturday PUNCH reports.
The driver, identified as 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was on Friday charged before a Sagamu Magistrate Court, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Babaseyi confirmed that the court adjourned the matter to January 20, 2026, to enable further legal processes.
The arraignment came two days after the Ogun State Police Command confirmed Adeniyi’s arrest following the accident, which occurred on December 29, 2025, near Danco along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The crash claimed the lives of Kevin Latif Ayodele, 36, a British-Nigerian citizen, and Sina Ghami, 36, a British citizen. Both men were colleagues and members of Anthony Joshua’s training staff.
Adeniyi, a long-time member of Joshua’s Nigerian logistics team, was discharged from a Lagos hospital late on New Year’s Eve after treatment for minor injuries. He was subsequently taken to the Ogun State Police Headquarters in Abeokuta for questioning.
Police sources disclosed that Adeniyi was allegedly driving above the 65mph speed limit when a tyre burst during an overtaking manoeuvre, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.
The Lexus SUV, with registration number KRD 850 HN, reportedly crashed into an illegally parked truck loaded with soya beans on the hard shoulder. The impact tore off the nearside of the vehicle, killing Ayodele and Ghami instantly. Joshua, who was seated behind the driver, and Adeniyi sustained only minor injuries, with first responders describing Joshua’s survival as “miraculous.”
A police source had earlier told the Daily Mail that the driver was stable and able to give his account of events, adding that he was expected to face charges of reckless driving, subject to possible delays due to the bank holiday.
True to that assurance, Adeniyi appeared before the Sagamu Magistrate Court on Friday, although details of the specific charges were not immediately made public.
Meanwhile, the Lagos and Ogun state governments announced on Wednesday that Joshua had been discharged from Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, after doctors confirmed he was clinically fit to continue his recovery at home.
In a joint statement signed by the Ogun State Governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, it was revealed that Joshua and his mother visited a Lagos funeral home to pay their last respects to the deceased, whose bodies were prepared for repatriation.
The remains were flown from Lagos aboard a Turkish Airlines cargo flight to Istanbul on New Year’s Day before onward transportation to London for burial arrangements.
Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their prayers and support, while also thanking President Bola Tinubu for his “fatherly support” during the period.
They further commended the medical personnel at Lagoon Hospital for their professionalism and dedication, and once again commiserated with the families of the deceased, describing the incident as painful and deeply unfortunate.
The accident occurred at about 11am on Monday, December 29, shortly after Joshua and his companions arrived in Nigeria on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London. It came just 10 days after Joshua’s high-profile bout with Jake Paul, which he won by a sixth-round knockout.
Following the incident, several Nigerian and international sports stars, including Super Eagles players Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, sent messages of condolence and support to the boxer.
Police have also launched a manhunt for the driver of the illegally parked truck, who reportedly fled the scene. Investigations are ongoing, with the next court sitting on January 20 expected to provide clarity on the charges against Adeniyi and the findings of the police probe.
