Anthony Joshua's driver charged over car crash that killed two in Nigeria and injured former world champion

A statement from Ogun State Police read: "Update: The Ogun State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the Anthony Joshua accident case, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode (male), aged 46, was charged to the Sagamu Magistrate Court today, 2nd January, 2026 and the case has been adjourned to 20th January, 2026."

According to the BBC, police brought four charges against Mr Kayode: Causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver's licence.

The British boxer was involved in the deadly crash at 11am on Monday, on the notoriously hazardous Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, where he and others were travelling to Joshua's family residence in Sagamu for New Year festivities.

The Lexus 4x4, reportedly travelling at high speed, lost control and collided with a stationary lorry, tearing open the passenger side of the vehicle.

Joshua and his locally hired driver, positioned on the opposite side, narrowly escaped death.

Video footage captured the boxer in visible distress as rescuers helped him from the wreckage, with witnesses reporting he complained of severe leg pain.

Strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif "Latz" Ayodele, both aged 36, were killed instantly as they occupied seats on the impact side of the car.

Since the incident, Joshua has made what has been described as a "miracle recovery" after a stay in hospital.

The 36-year-old former world heavyweight champion sustained no fractures and was soon discharged, according to a Government statement.

Following his discharge from a Lagos hospital late on New Year's Eve, Mr Kayode was transported approximately two hours north to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state where the accident occurred.

At the state police headquarters, he underwent several hours of questioning and submitted a formal statement detailing his version of events in the minutes preceding the collision.

Meanwhile, the driver of the illegally parked truck absconded immediately after the collision and remains the subject of an active police manhunt.