Anthony Joshua’s Family Questions Trial Over Tragic Car Crash

SAGAMU, Nigeria (FN) — The driver charged in the car crash that injured boxing star Anthony Joshua and killed two of his friends appeared in court Tuesday, as Joshua’s uncle questioned whether a trial was “really worth it.”

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was behind the wheel of a Lexus SUV carrying the former two‑time heavyweight champion and two companions, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, when the vehicle rammed into a stationary truck in Sagamu, southwest Nigeria. Ayodele and Ghami died in the crash, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.

Kayode faces multiple charges, including reckless driving and driving without a license. Prosecutors say his negligence led to the deaths and endangered the life of one of Nigeria’s most celebrated athletes.

Dressed in black trousers and a hoodie, Kayode appeared downcast as he entered the courtroom, avoiding journalists’ cameras. His court appearance was brief, as the judge adjourned the case until February 25 after prosecutors requested more time. His lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, told reporters he agreed to the adjournment “in the interest of justice.”

Outside the court, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, voiced doubts about the proceedings. “We are very lucky that our son didn’t die. But taking this man to court is something we don’t see any reason for,” he told AFP at the boxer’s family home. “This is my own personal opinion that the trial is not really worth it. Because we think accidents can happen anywhere in the world.”

At the same time, he acknowledged the mood in Sagamu. “We sense the opinion of the people of the town is that this man must be prosecuted. That he was overspeeding,” he said, reflecting the tension between the family’s grief and public calls for accountability.

The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) in Ogun State said preliminary investigations showed the vehicle was travelling at excessive speed and suffered a burst tyre before the collision. Nigerian police and state officials confirmed Ayodele and Ghami died at the scene, while Joshua and Kayode sustained minor injuries.

Ghami was Joshua’s long‑time strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele served as his personal trainer, according to British media. Their deaths have shaken Joshua’s inner circle and the wider boxing community.

Adedamola Joshua added that Kayode had been his nephew’s driver for three years and there had never been any complaints. He described the incident as a tragic accident rather than deliberate recklessness.

Joshua, a British national of Nigerian heritage, frequently visits southwest Nigeria, where he has friends and family. His presence in Sagamu has long been a source of pride for locals, who now grapple with the aftermath of the crash.

For Joshua’s family, the trial represents both a pursuit of accountability and a painful reminder of the lives lost. As one relative put it, “Justice is important, but healing is harder.”