The family of Nigerian-born boxing star Anthony Joshua has questioned the decision to prosecute the driver involved in the car crash that killed two of the boxer’s close friends.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, appeared before a court in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Tuesday over the December 29, 2025 accident that left Joshua injured and claimed the lives of his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.
Kayode, who was driving the Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and his friends, is facing charges of reckless driving and driving without a valid licence after the vehicle rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Speaking to AFP at the family home, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, said the family was struggling to see the justification for the trial.
“We are very lucky that our son didn’t die. But taking this man to court is something we don’t see any reason for,” he said.
“This is my own personal opinion that the trial is not really worth it. Because we think accidents can happen anywhere in the world.”
However, he acknowledged public pressure over the case, saying, “We sense the opinion of the people of the town is that this man must be prosecuted. That he was overspeeding.”
Kayode appeared downcast in court and avoided journalists as the case was called. The proceedings were brief, as the judge adjourned the matter to February 25, 2026, following a request by the prosecution to allow time to forward the case file to the state Attorney General for advice.
Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, said the defence agreed to the adjournment. “We accepted it in the interest of justice,” he told journalists.
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency had earlier said preliminary findings showed the SUV was travelling at high speed and suffered a burst tyre before crashing into the truck.
Police said Ayodele and Ghami died on the spot, while Joshua and Kayode sustained minor injuries.
Adedamola Joshua added that Kayode had driven his nephew for about three years without any previous issues, noting that the boxer regularly visits southwest Nigeria to see family and friends.
The case has sparked widespread debate online, with many Nigerians expressing sympathy for the driver and questioning the prosecution.
sirejossy commented, “I’m really finding it difficult to understand the driver’s offense.”
henriugomoni commented, “If the driver had died too 😢 nko?”
otunbadeyinka commented, “For someone who’s likely to be forever traumatised, you still dey carry am go court. What if they all died?”
adegbola.fadekemi commented, “Make dem free this man nah, himself still get the trauma and shock of the accident for body.”
d.h.a.r.m.i.e commented, “Core question is, the trailer parked on the roadside, have we sued the company responsible for it or the authorities meant to ensure such vehicles are not abandoned on active roads?”
Another user, big_tim09, simply wrote, “This is sad honestly.”
The trial resumes on February 25 as legal arguments continue amid growing public scrutiny.
