Court Hears Anthony Joshua’s Driver Was Overtaking Before Fatal Crash

A Nigerian court has heard that Anthony Joshua's driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was allegedly attempting to overtake a moving truck before the Lexus SUV crashed into a stationary lorry in December 2025. Joshua survived, but his personal trainer Latif Ayodele and strength coach Sina Ghami died. Kayode denies the charges, while police have yet to obtain Joshua's statement. The case continues on September 10, 2026

A Nigerian court has heard that the driver of the Lexus SUV carrying heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the car lost control and crashed, killing two members of Joshua’s team.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, is facing charges including dangerous driving causing death and driving without a valid national driver’s licence. He denies the allegations.
The fatal crash happened on December 29, 2025, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
Joshua survived the crash with minor injuries, but his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, died.

DRIVER WAS ALLEGEDLY OVERTAKING

Inspector Christopher Ajayi Taiwo of the Ogun State Motor Traffic Division told the court that Kayode was allegedly attempting to overtake a moving truck when he lost control of the Lexus.
The SUV subsequently collided with a stationary lorry.
The court heard that Joshua and the other passengers were asleep at the time of the crash.
The prosecution's account is disputed by Kayode, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

POLICE ARRIVED AFTER VEHICLES HAD BEEN REMOVED

Inspector Ajayi told the court that when officers arrived at the crash scene, both the damaged Lexus and the stationary lorry had already been removed.
However, investigators found debris from the collision scattered across the road.
They also found soya beans that had spilled from the lorry's load.
According to the police witness, officers recovered a vehicle logbook, painkillers and an energy drink near the driver's side of the Lexus.

JOSHUA HAS NOT YET GIVEN POLICE A STATEMENT

A significant point raised during the hearing was the fact that police have not yet obtained a statement from Joshua.
Kayode's lawyer questioned Inspector Ajayi about why the boxer had not been interviewed despite being one of the occupants of the vehicle.
The inspector told the court that efforts were still ongoing to obtain Joshua's statement.
He said he had not contacted the boxer because he did not have Joshua's telephone number.
The revelation is likely to remain an important issue as the prosecution continues building its case.

SECOND DRIVER ALSO FACES CHARGE

The case also involves Abubakar Adamu, 35, the driver of the stationary lorry that the Lexus collided with.
Adamu denies a charge of obstructing the free flow of traffic.
The prosecution alleges that the positioning of the stationary vehicle contributed to the circumstances surrounding the crash.

TWO MEMBERS OF JOSHUA'S TEAM DIED

The accident claimed the lives of two people who had played important roles in Joshua's career.
Latif Ayodele was Joshua's personal trainer and close associate, while Sina Ghami served as his strength and conditioning coach.
Their deaths shocked the boxing community and deeply affected Joshua.
The boxer later travelled to Britain for funeral events after the men's remains were repatriated.

JOSHUA PAID TRIBUTE TO HIS FRIENDS

Following the tragedy, Joshua paid an emotional tribute to Ayodele and Ghami.
He reflected on how much the two men meant to him and expressed sympathy for their families.
The deaths came at a particularly difficult moment for Joshua, who had himself suffered injuries in the crash.
He was later discharged from hospital after being assessed as fit to continue his recovery at home.

THE CASE MOVES FORWARD

Kayode's case has gone through several adjournments since he was first charged.
He was previously granted ₦5 million bail with two sureties, while prosecutors have continued presenting evidence and witnesses.
The latest hearing was adjourned until September 10, 2026.
The court will then continue examining evidence surrounding the crash, including the circumstances in which the Lexus was being driven and the role, if any, played by the stationary lorry.
Until the court reaches a decision, Kayode remains presumed innocent of the charges against him.