The driver of a vehicle carrying British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the car crashed in Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of two of the boxer’s close associates, a court has heard.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, is facing charges including causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a valid national driver’s license. He has denied the allegations against him.
The court heard that the group was travelling to visit Joshua’s father in Ogun State, near Lagos, in December last year when the incident occurred.
According to evidence presented in court, those travelling in the Lexus SUV were asleep when Kayode allegedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake a moving truck.
The Lexus subsequently collided with a stationary lorry, resulting in a fatal crash. Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and his strength coach, Sina Ghami, died in the incident.
The deaths were a major loss for Joshua, who had worked closely with both men as part of his professional team.
A second defendant, Abubakar Adamu, 35, who was driving the stationary lorry involved in the collision, denies a charge alleging that he obstructed the free flow of traffic.
The court is considering evidence relating to the circumstances surrounding the crash and the positions of the vehicles involved.
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Inspector Christopher Ajayi Taiwo of the Ogun State Motor Traffic Division told the court that he arrived at the crash scene after the incident.
However, by the time he reached the location, both the damaged Lexus and the stationary lorry had already been removed from the scene.
Police officers nevertheless recovered debris from the crash, while soya beans from the lorry’s load were scattered across the road.
Ajayi told the court that officers also recovered a number of items associated with the Lexus. Among the items found were a logbook, painkillers and an energy drink, which were located near the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The court also heard that police investigators have not yet taken a statement from Anthony in connection with the crash.
During cross-examination, Kayode’s lawyer questioned Inspector Ajayi about why the boxer had not provided a statement. The police officer said that “efforts are ongoing” to obtain Joshua’s statement.
Ajayi also told the court that he had not contacted Joshua because he did not have the boxer’s telephone number.
The issue was raised during the examination of the police witness as the defense continued to question aspects of the investigation.
The court has adjourned the trial until September 10, when further proceedings are expected to take place.
Kayode continues to deny the charges against him, while Adamu also denies the allegation brought against him. The court will consider further evidence as the proceedings continue.
Anthony Joshua, who was born in Watford and has family roots in Sagamu, Ogun State, was travelling in the area when the crash occurred.
Following the incident, the heavyweight boxer paid tribute to Ayodele and Ghami in a social media post, reflecting on their close relationship and the impact of their deaths.
Joshua described the loss as extremely difficult for him and acknowledged the greater pain faced by the families of the two men.
The two were important members of Joshua’s professional team, having worked closely with the boxer during his career.
The ongoing court proceedings are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and determine the legal responsibility of the defendants.
BBC
