The Ogun State Police Command has arraigned the driver of a Lexus SUV involved in the fatal road crash that claimed the lives of two associates of former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua.
The defendant, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was brought before a Sagamu Magistrate Court in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State on Friday, January 2, 2026, in connection with the accident.
Confirming the development, the Police said Kayode was charged on four counts bordering on traffic and safety violations. The charges include dangerous driving causing death, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Federal Highway Act, Cap F:135, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Ogun State; reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Act; driving without due care and attention causing bodily harm and damage to property, contrary to Section 7(1); and driving without a valid National Driver’s Licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Act.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the defendant was formally charged following investigations into the incident. The court granted Kayode bail for ₦5 million with two sureties, but he was remanded in custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The accident occurred on Monday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while Kayode was conveying Anthony Joshua and two of his friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami. The Lexus SUV reportedly rammed into a stationary truck parked by the roadside, leading to the instant deaths of Ayodele and Ghami. Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries.
Joshua was later discharged from the hospital on Wednesday after doctors confirmed he was clinically fit to continue his recovery at home. He was also reported to have visited a funeral home in Lagos with his mother to pay last respects to the deceased, whose bodies were being prepared for repatriation.
However, the driver’s family has disputed allegations of reckless driving. Kayode’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, said his father had never been a reckless driver and described the incident as a tragic accident caused by brake failure.
“The family is very upset by what happened, and we are sorry for the deaths of the two people. My dad is not a fast driver; he was following the speed limit when the brakes failed. He said he was pressing the pedal, but nothing was happening,” Ifeoluwa said.
He added that his father tried to avoid the truck but could not, insisting that the vehicle the Lexus collided with was illegally parked. According to him, the journey had started from Lagos after picking up Joshua from the airport, and they were only minutes away from arriving in Sagamu to visit the boxer’s family.
Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, also maintained his client’s innocence, saying the defendant had pleaded not guilty and that the crash was an unfortunate accident. He explained that Joshua was initially seated in front but was later asked to move to the back seat to improve the driver’s visibility due to the boxer’s size.
“My client insists the brakes did not work. This was an accident, not recklessness,” the lawyer said.
The case has been adjourned, while investigations and legal proceedings continue.
