Anthony Joshua's driver faces charges over double fatality from the boxer's inner circle in Nigeria

A Nigerian court has formally charged the driver involved in a road accident that claimed the lives of two members of Anthony Joshua’s team, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn national attention. The crash, which occurred late last month, left the former heavyweight champion injured and mourning the deaths of his longtime trainer and strength coach. While Joshua survived with minor injuries, authorities are now pursuing criminal charges against the man accused of causing the fatal collision, shifting the focus from tragedy to accountability as the case moves through the courts. Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, who was behind the wheel of the Lexus SUV carrying Anthony Joshua and his team, was arraigned on January 2, 2026, at the Sagamu Magistrate Court. Prosecutors filed four charges against him, including dangerous driving causing death and driving without a valid license. Kayode pleaded not guilty to all counts.The court set bail at five million naira. Until the conditions are met, Kayode will remain in custody. Proceedings are scheduled to resume on January 20, as investigators continue to piece together the moments that led to the crash.According to police reports, the accident occurred on December 29, 2025, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a heavily trafficked highway with a history of serious collisions. Kayode was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the front passenger-side tire of the SUV burst. The blowout caused him to lose control, sending the car into a stationary truck parked along the roadside.The impact destroyed much of the vehicle. Anthony Joshua, who was seated in the back, escaped with minor injuries. Two passengers in the front did not survive.Trainer Latif Ayodele, widely known as “Latz,” and strength coach Sina Ghami, both 36, were pronounced dead at the scene. Both men were central figures in Joshua’s daily training life and traveled with him consistently.Their deaths came just hours after they appeared in lighthearted social media clips with Joshua, playing table tennis and joking during downtime. Matchroom Boxing and 258 MGT later confirmed the losses, describing Ayodele and Ghami as close friends, not just staff. Fellow boxer Jake Paul publicly shared prayers for the victims and those affected.Joshua was taken to a hospital in Lagos following the crash and discharged on December 31 after doctors confirmed he could recover at home. While physically spared from serious injury, the emotional toll has been clear within his camp.Nigerian President Bola Tinubu personally contacted Joshua and his mother to offer condolences, acknowledging the boxer’s longstanding ties to Nigeria and the magnitude of the loss.The charges against Kayode have reignited public discussion around road safety enforcement on Nigeria’s major highways, particularly issues involving vehicle maintenance, licensing, and the dangers of roadside parking by heavy trucks.Also read: “It’s nerve-wracking” - Jake and Logan Paul’s mother Pam Stepnick pleads with her sons to step away from fightingAnthony Joshua has not issued a public statement. His representatives have requested privacy as he recovers and mourns the deaths of two men who were part of his everyday life, while the legal process now determines responsibility for a journey that ended in tragedy.