Chauffeur faces charges following Anthony Joshua’s vehicle crash
The chauffeur behind the wheel when Anthony Joshua’s vehicle crashed in Nigeria last month appeared before magistrates today, facing multiple criminal charges, reports BritPanorama.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, attended Sagamu Magistrates Court in Ogun State where he faces accusations of dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and operating a vehicle without a valid national licence.
Wearing a black hoodie, Kayode was granted bail following the hearing. Prosecutors requested additional time to seek legal advice, and the case was postponed until February 25.
The fatal collision occurred on December 29 when the black Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his companions struck a stationary lorry on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Sagamu. The impact claimed the lives of Latif Ayodele, Joshua’s personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach. Joshua, the two-time world heavyweight champion, was travelling in the rear of the vehicle at the time.
Joshua had been holidaying in his parents’ homeland following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, just 10 days before the tragedy struck. Reports suggest the former unified champion may have narrowly avoided a worse fate after switching seats shortly before the collision occurred.
Funerals for both Ayodele and Ghami took place earlier this month. Joshua has since resumed training, sharing footage on social media of himself hitting pads, exercising, and cycling on a stationary bike, captioned “mental strength therapy.”
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, addressed the fighter’s future when speaking to Sky Sports, acknowledging that Joshua will need space before making any decisions. Hearn said: “He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future. I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right.” Hearn added that conversations about fighting remain off the table for now, with the priority being Joshua’s wellbeing.
In the world of boxing, the echoes of tragedy can often reverberate both through personal lives and professional destinies, reminding us how fragile the balance between triumph and sorrow can be. The road ahead for Joshua not only involves a return to the ring but also navigating the emotional landscape left by this heartbreaking incident.
