A Magistrate Court sitting in Sagamu, Ogun State, has adjourned the trial of Adeniyi Kayode, the driver involved in the fatal road accident that claimed the lives of two key members of heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua’s team, to February 25, 2026.
Kayode, a 46-year-old driver, was arraigned before the Sagamu Magistrate’s Court on January 2, with Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun presiding over the matter. He is facing a four-count charge arising from the crash that occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The charges include dangerous driving causing death, contrary to 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 Act.
Additional allegations against the defendant involve driving without due care and attention, resulting in bodily harm 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.
When the case came up for hearing, the prosecution counsel, Nijiwe Richard, requested an adjournment to enable the duplication of the case file and its transmission to the Office of the Attorney-General of Ogun State through the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice, citing the interest of justice.
The application was initially opposed by defence counsel, Abiodun Olalekan, who informed the court of the defendant’s readiness to proceed with the trial. However, after considering arguments from both parties, Magistrate Somefun granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the case to February 25 for further hearing.
The court had earlier granted Kayode bail in the sum of ₦5,000,000, with two sureties required to meet the bail conditions.
The accident, which occurred on December 29, 2025, resulted in the deaths of Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, who served as Anthony Joshua’s personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach respectively. The Lexus SUV in which they were travelling reportedly collided with a stationary truck on the busy expressway. Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries in the crash.
Joshua was later discharged from the hospital after medical assessments confirmed that he was fit to 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 their last respects as the bodies of Ayodele and Ghami were prepared for repatriation.
He later travelled to the United Kingdom for their funeral. The remains of both men were flown back to the UK, where a funeral prayer service was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.
Ghami and Ayodele were widely regarded as integral figures in Joshua’s camp, playing crucial roles in his physical conditioning and overall career development. Their sudden deaths sent shockwaves through the international boxing community and drew widespread tributes from athletes and fans across the world.
What you should know
Anthony Joshua is one of the most prominent figures in global boxing, and his support team played a critical role in his rise and sustained success in the sport.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where the accident occurred, is a major transport corridor in Nigeria and has long been associated with frequent road crashes. The Federal Highway Act provides the legal framework for prosecuting traffic-related offences, including dangerous and negligent driving.
Cases linked to high-profile personalities often attract public attention, but they are handled under the same judicial processes as other criminal matters.
