Anthony Joshua’s ‘reckless’ chauffeur named and ‘set to be charged’ after deadly crash
Anthony Joshua’s chauffeur who was at the wheel during the horror car crash that killed two of the boxer’s friends is expected to be charged by police within 48 hours
Anthony Joshua’s chauffeur is expected to be charged with reckless driving after the horror car crash that killed two of the boxer’s close friends.
According to the Daily Mail, police sources in Nigeria say 47-year-old Kayode Adeniyi – a long standing member of Joshua’s Nigerian logistics team when the Watford boxer visits the ancestral home of his parents – will be charged “within the next 48 hours”, after he was discharged from hospital in Lagos late on New Year’s Eve.
The Mail reports Adeniyi was driven two hours north to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state, the region where Monday’s fatal crash happened, and questioned for several hours by police. He gave an official statement in which he explained what happened in the minutes leading up to the crash, which left Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach Kevin aka Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, and personal trainer Sina Ghami, both 36, dead.
According to the Mail, a police source said: “The driver was released after treatment for minor injuries and was then taken to the state police headquarters for questioning.
“He is in a stable condition and was able to provide us with his version of events that led up to the crash and we expect a charging decision within the next 48 hours but the bank holiday may delay proceedings.
“It is possible he could be in court on Friday but it depends how quickly the process moves and it would be for reckless driving.”
Adeniyi was at the wheel of Joshua’s Lexus SUV and allegedly speeding above the road’s 65mph speed limit when it is claimed he lost control after a tyre burst during an overtaking manoeuvre.
The Lexus then smashed into an illegally parked truck on the hard shoulder, which was carrying soya beans. The force of the impact on the nearside of the car killed Ayodele and Ghami instantly.
Joshua, 36, was sat behind the driver and is fortunate to be alive after first responders described his survival as a “miracle”. Police are hunting the driver of the illegally parked truck.
Nigerian authorities said Joshua was discharged from hospital yesterday and went with his mum to visit a funeral home and pay his respects to his two friends, before their bodies were repatriated to the UK.
Ogun State Government said: “Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon though heavy hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends he was deemed clinical fit to recuperate from home.
“Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening.”
Joshua and his friends had arrived in Nigeria on Monday on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London. The boxer has been celebrating his knockout victory over American Youtuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul on December 19.
Joshua’s promotor and Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn shared a poignant photo montage of Joshua, Ayodele and Ghami on Instagram on New Year’s Eve.
The 46-year-old wrote: “Rest in peace Latz and Sina. Your energy and loyalty among so many other great qualities will be deeply missed.
“Praying for strength and guidance for all their family, friends and of course AJ during this very difficult time.”
