Story by Patrick Austen-Hardy
The driver who was transporting Anthony Joshua during the horrific car crash that killed two of the boxer’s friends attempted an overtake before smashing into a stationary lorry, a court has heard. Joshua’s friends and team members Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami were tragically killed in the accident.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode is accused of causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a valid licence – charges the 46-year-old denies. On December 29, Joshua, Ayodele and Ghami were travelling to visit the two-time unified heavyweight champion’s father in Ogun, near Lagos, when Kayode lost control of the vehicle and crashed on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, a court heard. The incident took place a matter of days after Joshua stopped former YouTuber Jake Paul in a lucrative bout in Miami, Florida.
Kayode has been accused of attempting to overtake a moving truck before he smashed into a lorry which was parked. After the collision, Joshua was rushed to hospital, while Ayodele and Ghami, Joshua’s personal trainer and strength coach respectively, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The group had been sleeping at the time of the crash. In addition to Kayode’s charges, the driver of the stationary lorry the car crashed into is also facing a charge of his own. Abubakar Adamu, 35, was charged with obstructing the free flow of traffic. He also denies the charge against him.
Both vehicles involved in the collision had been removed by the time local police enforcement had arrived at the scene, Inspector Christopher Ajayi Taiwo of the Ogun State Motor Traffic Division told the court. At the site of the crash, law enforcement recovered a logbook, painkillers and an energy drink near the driver’s side, Inspector Ajayi also said.
It was also stated that local police are yet to take a statement from Joshua himself. When Kayode’s lawyer demanded to know why this has not been the case, Inspector Ajayi replied he “didn’t have his number”.
Anthony Joshua celebrates beating Jake Paul© AFP via Getty Images
The trial has since been adjourned until September 10. The case continues.
Joshua paid tribute to Ayodele and Ghami after his July victory over Kristian Prenga. When the match was over, he burst into tears while he was trying to say his tribute.
A month before the bout, he said: “My goal is to help their families and to help them achieve their goals, even though they may not be here in the physical. I will be saying my prayers, and I’m going to help them fulfill their dreams for their families.
“It’s not only me though helping. There’s a whole team working on that stuff. There is a whole system that will be helping fulfill their legacy, fulfill their dreams. But I know in my corner of the world, I know what I’m doing, and I know what we’re gonna do to continue there.”
