Accidents

Nigeria: Anthony Joshua's Driver Charged After Car Crash

Was this tragedy caused by mechanical failure and road hazards, or by reckless driving and criminal negligence?

JAN 3·Updated JAN 6

Nigeria: Anthony Joshua's Driver Charged After Car Crash

Story

Above: Newspapers bearing headlines about the road accident involving British boxer Anthony Joshua that killed two people displayed at a stall in Abeokuta on Dec. 30, 2025. Image credit: Toyin Adedokun/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, the driver of the car ferrying British boxer Anthony Joshua that met with a fatal crash on Monday, was on Friday charged with four counts, including dangerous driving causing death and driving without a valid license.
Premium Times Nigeria
GB News
P.M.News Nigeria
The crash occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when the Lexus SUV collided with a stationary truck. Federal Road Safety Corps officials believe that the vehicle was speeding and attempting wrongful overtaking, leading to the collision.
guardian
CNN
FOX Sports Radio
Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, both 36, were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Ghami served as Anthony Joshua's strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele worked as his personal trainer and was described as a longtime friend.
Sky Sports
The New York Times
FOX Sports Radio
Joshua, 36, sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in Lagos for treatment. He was discharged on Wednesday after doctors determined he did not require emergency medical intervention and could continue recovery at home.
The Times of India
News.com.au
Daily Post Nigeria
The driver had requested Joshua to move from the front passenger seat to the rear because the boxer's build was obstructing the wing mirror view, and this likely saved the boxer's life. Joshua was holidaying in Nigeria, his parents' country of birth.
The Times of India
GB News
The New York Times
The case has been adjourned until Jan. 20, with Kayode remaining in custody pending fulfillment of bail conditions. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu contacted Joshua and his mother to offer his condolences, acknowledging the boxer's ties to Nigeria.
The Times of India
CNN
Premium Times Nigeria

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Mechanical failure caused this tragedy, not driver negligence. The brakes failed despite the driver following speed limits, and an illegally parked truck created the deadly hazard that made this accident unavoidable.

The Guardian Nigeria

Narrative B

Reckless driving killed two people and endangered a boxing champion. The driver exceeded speed limits, overtook dangerously, lacked a valid license and now rightfully faces serious criminal charges for causing death by dangerous driving.

The Sun

ITV