Anthony Joshua shares grief over friends’ deaths in Nigeria car crash
Anthony Joshua has broken his silence on social media ahead of the funerals of his two close friends who died following a car crash in Nigeria, reports BritPanorama.
The two-time heavyweight world champion posted photographs on Instagram this morning that show him alongside the families of the deceased, one of which features a person holding a framed picture of Sina Ghami.
Joshua captioned the images: “My Brothers Keeper.” This phrase has biblical origins from Genesis 4:9, symbolising a moral obligation to support and protect others.
The memorial services for Ghami and Latif Ayodele are scheduled to take place today at a mosque in London, where family and friends have been invited to attend a janaza prayer service. Joshua returned to Britain on Friday evening, landing at Stansted Airport via private jet, and has since been recovering at home.
The 36-year-old boxer was travelling as a passenger in a black Lexus SUV when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State on Monday morning. Ghami, who served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele, his personal trainer, were both pronounced dead at the scene; both were also 36 years old.
Authorities believe the vehicle was travelling at high speed and suffered a tyre blowout during an overtaking manoeuvre. An official spokesperson for Joshua issued a statement following the tragedy. It read: “It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele. Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.”
It remains unclear whether Joshua will attend the funeral services, with concerns that his presence might attract unwanted attention and overshadow the ceremony for the grieving families. A source mentioned to the press: “Anthony wants to go to the funeral but he hasn’t decided yet; he’s mindful that his presence could cause a circus and overshadow the funeral for the family of his two friends.”
The boxer, born in Watford to British-Nigerian parents, had been holidaying in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. Joshua was released from Duchess International Hospital on Wednesday after receiving treatment for his injuries, and he subsequently visited a funeral home to pay respects to his two friends before returning to the UK.
The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, appeared at Sagamu High Court on Friday facing four charges including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and operating a vehicle without a valid licence. Kayode, 47, has worked with Joshua’s team for over three years and pleaded not guilty to all charges, claiming that the brakes on the Lexus had failed.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Joshua had initially been seated in the front passenger seat but moved to the rear at Kayode’s request, as the driver could not see the wing mirror properly. Tragically, both Ghami and Ayodele were seated on the side where Joshua had originally occupied.
This event serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and underscores the often overlooked risks that lurk behind the glitz of the boxing world, where battles inside the ring can sometimes dim in comparison to the weight of personal loss. The intersection of triumph and tragedy never feels far apart in this sport.
