The driver of a vehicle carrying British boxer Anthony Joshua has denied charges related to a December crash that resulted in the deaths of two of the boxer's friends. Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, faces charges including causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a valid national driver's license.
During a court hearing in Nigeria, it was stated that the group was traveling to visit Joshua's father in Ogun State when Kayode lost control of the Lexus SUV. The court was told that Kayode attempted to overtake a moving truck but collided with a parked lorry. The collision killed Joshua's personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami. Joshua, 36, was taken to a hospital in Nigeria following the accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun.
A second defendant, Abubakar Adamu, 35, the driver of the stationary lorry, denies a charge of obstructing the free flow of traffic.
Inspector Christopher Ajayi Taiwo of the Ogun State Motor Traffic Division testified that both vehicles had been removed from the scene by the time he arrived. Debris from the crash and soya beans from the lorry's load were scattered across the road. Police have not yet taken a statement from Anthony Joshua, despite the incident occurring eight months prior, with the inspector stating he did not have the boxer's contact number.
The trial has been adjourned until September 10.
Following the collision, Joshua paid tribute to his deceased friends on social media. In a post, he wrote, "I didn't even realise how special they are. I'll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men. 100% it's tough for me, but I know it's even tougher for their parents."
Joshua had previously spoken about the emotional toll of the loss. In a late July comeback fight, he broke down during his post-fight interview, crediting Ayodele and Ghami for his performance. He had also mentioned spending months suppressing the pain of their loss. In February, Joshua added the names "LATZ" and "SINA" to a tattoo on his bicep, and in a video released a month prior, he expressed his commitment to supporting the families of his friends, stating, "My goal is to help their families and to help them achieve their goals, even though they may not be here in the physical."