Anthony Joshua Returns To UK After Fatal Car Crash Claims Two Close Friends
Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom after a tragic road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and members of his team.
The fatal crash occurred on Monday, December 29, when the Lexus SUV Joshua was travelling in collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun. The boxer sustained minor injuries and was treated in hospital before being discharged on New Year’s Eve. A BBC report later confirmed that he has since flown back to the UK.
Two passengers in the vehicle, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, lost their lives in the collision. Their funerals are scheduled to take place on Sunday at the London Central Mosque, according to Sky Sports.
The driver, 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. He was granted bail in the sum of N5 million, with the case adjourned until January 20 pending the fulfilment of bail conditions.
Kayode’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, has defended his father, claiming the crash was caused by brake failure and an illegally parked truck. He insisted his father was not speeding at the time of the accident and described him as an experienced and careful driver.
Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, revealed that Joshua narrowly escaped death after changing seats shortly before the crash. According to him, Joshua initially sat in the front passenger seat but was asked to move to the back so the driver could have a clearer view of the wing mirror. Latif Ayodele later took the front seat.
Joshua was reportedly travelling to Sagamu to visit relatives for New Year celebrations when the accident occurred, just 10 days after his knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to the public for their prayers and support and thanked President Bola Tinubu for his intervention. Both state governments also commiserated with the families of the deceased, describing the incident as deeply painful and unfortunate.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are still ongoing.
