Anthony Joshua Returns To UK After Nigeria Crash Claims Lives Of Two Close Friends

Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has returned to the United Kingdom following a devastating road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and long-time team members.

Anthony Joshua, 36, was a passenger in a Lexus SUV involved in a fatal collision on Monday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Sagamu in Ogun State. The vehicle struck a stationary truck parked by the roadside.

Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami, both aged 36, died at the scene. Their funerals are scheduled to take place on Sunday at a mosque in London.

Joshua was taken to the hospital in Lagos with minor injuries and was discharged on Wednesday. He initially remained in Nigeria to recover before flying back to the UK.

The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, appeared before a magistrates’ court in Sagamu on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.

Prosecutors have accused him of causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, and driving without a valid licence. He was granted bail in the sum of at five million naira, and the case has been adjourned until 20 January.

Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, claimed the incident was a tragic accident and revealed that a last-minute seat change may have saved Joshua’s life.

“My client has pleaded not guilty, and what happened was an accident. I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet, but I know he is saying the brakes did not work,” he said.

“I also 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.

“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.”

Police and road safety officials are still investigating the precise cause of the crash. The Federal Road Safety Corps initially suggested that over-speeding and a failed overtaking attempt may have contributed, while Ogun State police later told ESPN that a burst tyre caused the vehicle to swerve into the parked truck.

Joshua, who was born in Watford and has family roots in Sagamu, had been travelling to the town to visit relatives for New Year celebrations, according to a family member who spoke to the BBC. He had been spending extended time in Nigeria following his recent victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on 19 December.