A Magistrate Court sitting in Sagamu, Ogun State, has adjourned the trial of Adeniyi Kayode, the driver involved in the road accident that claimed the lives of heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.
Kayode, a 46-year-old driver, was arraigned before the Sagamu Magistrate’s Court on January 2, with Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun presiding. He is facing a four-count charge bordering on dangerous and reckless driving.
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 under Section 6(1) of the same Act, driving without due care and attention resulting in bodily harm and damage to property under Section 7(1), as well as driving without a valid national driver’s licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Act.
At the hearing, the prosecution counsel, Nijiwe Richard, requested an adjournment to enable the case file to be forwarded to the Ogun State Attorney General through the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice, citing the interest of justice.
The request was opposed by defence counsel, Abiodun Olalekan, who informed the court of the defendant’s readiness to proceed with the trial. However, after considering arguments from both sides, the court granted the prosecution’s application and adjourned the matter to February 25, 2026, for further hearing.
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The court also granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with two sureties.
The fatal accident occurred on December 29, 2025, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway when a Lexus SUV conveying Anthony Joshua and members of his team collided with a stationary truck. While Joshua and the driver reportedly sustained minor injuries, Ayodele and Ghami lost their lives.
Joshua was later discharged from the hospital after doctors confirmed he was clinically fit to continue his recovery at home.
The former world heavyweight champion, accompanied by his mother, later visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay his last respects as the bodies of Ayodele and Ghami were prepared for repatriation. He subsequently travelled to the United Kingdom for their burial rites.
The remains of both men were flown to the UK, where a funeral prayer service was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque. Ayodele and Ghami were regarded as key members of Joshua’s camp, and their deaths sent shockwaves through the international boxing community.