Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has returned to the United Kingdom following a fatal road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and members of his team.The tragic crash occurred on Monday, December 29, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun in Ogun State, when a Lexus SUV conveying Joshua collided with a stationary truck. Joshua sustained minor injuries in the incident and was treated before being discharged from hospital on New Year’s Eve.
According to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Saturday, the boxer has since flown back to the UK as investigations into the accident continue. “Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has flown back to the UK after a fatal car crash that killed two of his close friends in Nigeria,” the BBC reported.
The accident claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, both described as close associates and key members of Joshua’s team. Funeral prayers for the deceased are scheduled to take place on Sunday at the London Central Mosque, according to Sky Sports. Joshua was reportedly travelling from Lagos to Sagamu to spend the New Year with relatives when the incident happened, barely 10 days after his knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami, United States.
The driver of the vehicle, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged by the Ogun State Police Command with causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a valid licence. Police confirmed on Friday that Kayode was granted bail in the sum of N5 million, pending the fulfilment of bail conditions, while the case was adjourned until January 20. Amid public outrage and speculation, Kayode’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, defended his father, insisting the crash was not caused by reckless driving. He claimed the vehicle suffered brake failure and that his father was driving within the speed limit at the time of the accident.
Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, also disclosed that Joshua narrowly escaped death due to a last-minute change of seats inside the SUV. He explained that Joshua initially sat in the front seat but was asked by the driver to move to the back because his size obstructed the driver’s view of the wing mirror. Latif Ayodele later took the front seat before the collision occurred. The SUV reportedly rammed into a stationary truck parked along the expressway, reigniting concerns over road safety, illegal parking by heavy-duty vehicles and poor enforcement of traffic regulations on Nigerian highways.
Following the incident, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their prayers and support. They also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his concern and intervention, while commiserating with the families of the deceased and describing the incident as painful and deeply unfortunate.Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.
Source: https://saharareporters.com/
