Omotayo Fashola
The Sagamu Magistrate Court in Ogun State has resumed hearings in the high-profile case involving Adeniyi Kayode, the chauffeur of a Lexus SUV that fatally crashed, claiming the lives of two key associates of boxing superstar Anthony Joshua.
Kayode, aged 46, initially appeared before Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun on January 2, facing serious legal consequences for his alleged role in the devastating incident.
Prosecutors have pressed four separate charges against him, including negligent driving leading to fatalities, reckless operation of a vehicle, causing bodily harm and property damage, and operating without a valid driver’s license.
These allegations directly violate multiple sections of Nigeria’s Federal Highway Act (2004), as enforced in Ogun State.
Despite the severity of the accusations, the court permitted Kayode’s release on ₦5 million bail, requiring two guarantitors to secure his temporary freedom.
This legal battle originates from a catastrophic December 29, 2025, collision on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where Kayode’s SUV reportedly plowed into a stationary truck.
The impact proved fatal for Joshua’s inner circle—strength coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele—while the boxer and driver escaped with minor injuries. Medical professionals later cleared Joshua to continue rehabilitation at home after brief hospitalization.
In the aftermath, an emotional Joshua joined by his mother visited a Lagos mortuary to bid farewell before the victims’ remains were transported to their native United Kingdom.
The boxing world mourned collectively during January 4, 2026, funeral services at London Central Mosque, followed by interment at Hendon Cemetery, marking the tragic conclusion to lives that had significantly impacted the sport.
