A Sagamu Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State has continued the trial of Mr. Adeniyi Kayode, the driver of a Lexus SUV involved in the fatal road crash that claimed the lives of two close associates of heavyweight boxing champion Mr. Anthony Joshua.

Mr. Kayode, 46, was arraigned before the court on January 2, with Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun presiding. He is standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on dangerous and negligent driving.

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), and reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the same Act.

The defendant is also charged with driving without due care and attention, causing 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, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.

Mr. Kayode was granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with two sureties.

The accident occurred on December 29, 2025, along the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. Mr. Joshua lost two of his friends and key members of his training team, Mr. Latif Ayodele and Mr. Sina Ghami, in the crash.

The Lexus SUV reportedly collided with a stationary truck. While Mr. Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries, Ayodele and Ghami died at the scene.

Mr. Joshua was later discharged from hospital after doctors declared him clinically fit to continue his recovery at home.

The former world heavyweight champion, accompanied by his mother, later visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay his final respects as the bodies of Ayodele and Ghami were being prepared for repatriation.

He subsequently travelled to the United Kingdom for their funeral rites. The remains of both men were flown to the UK, where a funeral prayer service was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.

Ghami, Mr. Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele, his personal trainer and close confidant, were widely regarded as central figures in the boxer’s professional camp. Their deaths sent shockwaves across the international boxing community.

Mr. Joshua attended the burial at Hendon Cemetery, where he was visibly emotional as he paid his final respects alongside family members, friends and supporters. Thousands had earlier gathered at the mosque to honour the late duo.