The legal proceedings against Adeniyi Kayode, the driver of a Lexus SUV involved in the fatal road accident that claimed the lives of two close associates of heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua, are scheduled to begin at a Sagamu Magistrate Court in Ogun State.
Kayode, aged 46, was arraigned before the Sagamu Magistrate’s Court on January 2, with Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun presiding.
The case centres on a four-count charge arising from the crash that occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The charges include dangerous driving leading to death, in violation of Section 5(1) of the Federal Highway Act, Cap F: 135, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Ogun State. He is also accused of reckless and negligent driving under Section 6(1) of the same law.
Further allegations against the defendant cover driving without due care and attention, resulting in bodily injury and damage to property, contrary to Section 7(1) of the Act, as well as driving without a valid national driver’s licence, an offence under Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.
Following his arraignment, Kayode was granted bail in the sum of ₦5,000,000, with the court ordering that two sureties be provided as part of the bail conditions.
The incident, which occurred on December 29, 2025, led to the deaths of Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both friends of Anthony Joshua. Reports indicated that the Lexus SUV collided with a stationary truck on the busy expressway. While Joshua and the driver reportedly suffered only minor injuries, the impact proved fatal for the two passengers.
Joshua was later discharged from medical care after doctors confirmed that he was clinically stable and could continue his recovery at home. In the days that followed, the former world heavyweight champion, accompanied by his mother, visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay his last respects as the bodies of Ayodele and Ghami were prepared for repatriation.
He subsequently travelled to the United Kingdom, where the final funeral rites for the deceased were held.
What you should know
Anthony Joshua is a globally recognised former world heavyweight boxing champion whose career has brought significant international attention to Nigerian-born athletes.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where the crash occurred, is one of Nigeria’s busiest highways and has been the scene of numerous fatal accidents over the years, often linked to speeding, poor road conditions, or stationary vehicles. The Federal Highway Act outlines offences and penalties related to road safety, including dangerous and negligent driving.
Cases involving high-profile individuals often attract public scrutiny but are prosecuted under the same legal framework as other traffic-related offences.
