Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was arraigned in Sagamu Magistrates Court on four counts after a December crash on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway that injured Anthony Joshua and killed two of his companions, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele. Officials said the SUV was travelling at high speed. Kayode, who was previously granted 5 million naira bail, faces charges including dangerous driving causing death; the trial was adjourned to Feb. 25 after prosecutors' request.
Driver in Deadly Lagos–Ibadan Crash That Killed Two of Anthony Joshua’s Friends Arraigned on Multiple Charges
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, the driver in a car crash that injured former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and killed his two friends in Nigeria, leaves after a hearing at the magistrates court, in Sagamu, south west Nigeria, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sagamu, Nigeria — Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, the driver involved in a December crash that injured British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and killed two of his companions, was arraigned Tuesday on four counts including dangerous driving causing death and operating a vehicle without a valid national driver’s licence.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, the driver in a car crash that injured former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and killed his two friends in Nigeria, leaves after a hearing at the magistrates court, in Sagamu, south west Nigeria, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Arraignment Details
Kayode appeared at the Sagamu Magistrates Court in Ogun State. Prosecutors say he was driving a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his friends when it struck a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a key route linking Ogun State to Lagos. Officials later reported that the vehicle was travelling at high speed. Joshua sustained only minor injuries; two of his close associates, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, were killed.
CORRECTS INFO TO FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, the driver in a car crash that injured former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and killed his two friends in Nigeria, arrives with his lawyer for a hearing at the magistrate court, in Sagamu, south west Nigeria, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Charges, Bail and Court Action
He was first charged in early January with dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid national driver’s licence. Kayode was previously granted bail of 5 million naira (about $3,480).
CORRECTS INFO TO FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, right, the driver in a car crash that injured former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and killed his two friends in Nigeria, leaves after a hearing at the magistrates court, in Sagamu, south west Nigeria, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Following a request by prosecutors, the court adjourned the matter until Feb. 25. Defence lawyers opposed the adjournment, arguing that the case was scheduled for hearing that day and witnesses were present to testify.
Defense counsel Abiodun Olalekan told reporters that with witnesses present and the matter set for hearing, there was no reason to delay the proceedings.
Background
Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, returned to the United Kingdom after the accident. He has family roots in Nigeria, briefly attended boarding school there as a child, and holds Nigerian nationality in addition to his British ties. The crash has renewed public concern about road safety on major Nigerian highways.
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