Anthony Joshua Returns To UK After Tragic Nigeria Crash Claims Lives Of Close Allies

According to Ireporter Online, former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom after surviving a tragic road accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of two of his closest associates.

The incident occurred on Monday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Sagamu in Ogun State, when a Lexus SUV in which Joshua was travelling collided with a stationary truck parked by the roadside. Joshua, 36, was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Two key members of his inner circle — his longtime personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami — both aged 36, lost their lives at the scene. Plans have been concluded for their burial, which is scheduled to hold on Sunday at a mosque in London.

Joshua sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in Lagos, where he received medical attention before being discharged on Wednesday. He reportedly remained in Nigeria briefly to recuperate before departing for the UK.

The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was arraigned before a magistrates’ court in Sagamu on Friday, where he entered a plea of not guilty to several charges. Prosecutors accused him of causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, as well as driving without a valid licence. He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of five million naira, with the case adjourned until January 20.

Speaking on the matter, Kayode’s legal counsel, Olalekan Abiodun, described the crash as an unfortunate accident and suggested that a last-minute change of seating arrangement may have spared Joshua’s life. The lawyer further claimed that brake failure was responsible for the collision.

Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing. While the Federal Road Safety Corps initially cited excessive speed and a failed overtaking attempt as possible factors, Ogun State police later indicated that a burst tyre may have caused the vehicle to veer into the parked truck.

Joshua, who was born in Watford but has family ties to Sagamu, was reportedly travelling to the town to spend the New Year with relatives. He had been spending significant time in Nigeria following his recent high-profile victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December.