Joshua returns to UK after deadly crash

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom following a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.

The incident unfolded on Monday, December 29, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun, when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck.

Joshua, 36, suffered only minor injuries and was discharged from the hospital on New Year’s Eve.

BBC reported on Saturday, “Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has flown back to the UK after a fatal car crash that killed two of his close friends in Nigeria.”

The funerals for Ghami and Ayodele are set for Sunday at the London Central Mosque, according to Sky Sports.

Nigerian police have charged the driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, with causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a licence.

Granted N5 million bail, Kayode remains remanded until fulfilling conditions, with the case adjourned to January 20.

Kayode’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, defended his father in commentssaying, “Dad is not a fast driver; he was following the speed limit when the brakes failed. He said he was pushing the pedal, but nothing was happening. He’s been driving for Anthony for three years; he’s a good driver. It’s not his fault. If the truck wasn’t parked there illegally, this wouldn’t have happened.”

The driver’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, highlighted Joshua’s narrow escape, noting, “I understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat, but the driver asked him to swap seats. He did this because Anthony is a big fellow, and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly, so he asked him to move, and he sat behind the driver. From what I understand, Latif was in front and then changed seats with Anthony.”

Joshua had been en route to visit relatives in Sagamu for New Year celebrations.

The crash came just 10 days after his knockout win over Jake Paul in Miami.