The Ogun State Police Command has charged the driver of the Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle implicated in the tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of two of Anthony Joshua’s close friends, but the case has been adjourned until January 20, 2026, to facilitate additional proceedings, reports Saturday.
The motorist, identified as Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was arraigned on Friday at a Sagamu Magistrate Court, as stated by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.
In a statement released in Abeokuta on Friday, Babaseyi revealed that the case has been postponed until January 20, 2026, to enable additional proceedings.
The arraignment took place just two days after the Ogun State Police Command announced the arrest of Adeniyi following the accident, which happened on December 29, 2025, close to Danco along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The incident resulted in the deaths of Kevin Latif Ayodele, 36, a British-Nigerian national, and Sina Ghami, 36, a British national, both of whom were colleagues and training personnel for the former world heavyweight boxing champion.
Adeniyi, a veteran member of Joshua’s logistics team in Nigeria, was released from a Lagos hospital late on New Year’s Eve after being treated for minor injuries.
He was subsequently taken to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, where the accident happened, for interrogation at the state police headquarters.
Police sources previously indicated that Adeniyi was reportedly exceeding the 65 mph speed limit on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when he lost control following a tire blowout while attempting to overtake.
The Lexus SUV, registered as KRD 850 HN, is said to have collided with a truck parked illegally on the hard shoulder that was loaded with soybeans. The impact’s force ripped away the near-side part of the vehicle.
Ghami and Ayodele died immediately, whereas Joshua and Adeniyi suffered only slight injuries. Joshua, sitting behind the driver, narrowly escaped death, with local first responders calling his survival a “miracle.”
“The driver was released after treatment for minor injuries and was then taken to the state police headquarters for questioning. He is in a stable condition and was able to provide us with his version of events that led up to the crash,” a police source stated.
The source mentioned that Adeniyi was likely to face charges of reckless driving within 48 hours, but the bank holiday could postpone the process.
As the police had stated, Adeniyi showed up at the Sagamu Magistrate Court on Friday, but the particulars of the charges brought against him were not revealed right away.
The governments of Lagos and Ogun states announced on Wednesday that Anthony Joshua had been discharged from Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi after medical professionals determined he was clinically stable enough to continue his recovery at home.
A joint statement from Mr. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, alongside Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, indicated that Joshua and his mother went to a funeral home in Lagos on Wednesday to bid farewell to their two deceased friends, whose remains were being readied for repatriation.
The remains were transported from Lagos on a Turkish Airlines cargo flight that arrived in Istanbul early on New Year’s Day and then proceeded to London for final burial preparations.
The joint statement revealed that Joshua was released from Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, late on Wednesday after doctors verified that he was clinically ready to continue his recovery at home.
Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the public for their immense concern, prayers, and displays of affection after the unfortunate event.
The two state administrations expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, labeling the event as tragic and profoundly sorrowful.
They hoped that the Almighty would allow the departed souls to find eternal peace and grant their families and loved ones the strength to endure the profound loss.
The incident happened on Monday, December 29, around 11am, when Joshua and two friends were on their way from Lagos to an unknown location.
Joshua and the two men had landed in Nigeria that day on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London.
The accident occurred merely 10 days following Joshua’s highly publicized match against Jake Paul, which concluded with a sixth-round knockout win for the ex-world champion.
The bout attracted considerable interest, and Paul was said to have suffered a fractured jaw.
After the accident was reported, numerous well-known Nigerian and global sports figures expressed their support for Joshua.
Super Eagles players Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Bright Osayi-Samuel were among those who extended their sympathies and hoped for the boxer’s quick recovery.
The Daily Mail reports that the driver of the improperly parked truck has vanished, prompting police to initiate a manhunt. The name of the truck driver has not been revealed.
Ongoing investigations into the incident’s circumstances are continuing, with police anticipated to release more information as the case advances.
The upcoming court hearing on January 20 is anticipated to provide further insights into the allegations against Adeniyi and the results of the police inquiry into the deadly accident.
