Anthony Joshua's personal chauffeur is reportedly facing criminal charges in Nigeria after a devastating car crash that claimed the lives of two of the heavyweight boxer's closest friends.
Driver Released from Hospital and Questioned by Police
The 47-year-old driver, a long-standing member of Joshua's Nigerian logistics team, was discharged from a Lagos hospital on New Year's Eve. He was then transported to the Ogun State police headquarters in Abeokuta, the region where the fatal collision occurred on Monday.
Police sources indicate the man was questioned for several hours and provided an official statement detailing the events leading up to the crash. He is said to be in a stable condition.
Charging Decision Expected Within 48 Hours
Authorities expect to make a formal charging decision within the next two days, though the New Year bank holiday may cause a slight delay. The driver is likely to be charged with reckless driving and could potentially appear in court as early as Friday, depending on procedural speed.
The crash involved the black Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and a stationary truck parked on the side of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The truck driver fled the scene and has been declared wanted by police.
Preliminary Investigation Points to Excessive Speed
Babatunde Akinbiyi, a spokesperson for Ogun State's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, stated the preliminary investigation clearly indicated overspeeding by the SUV.
"In the course of that, the front tyre on the passenger side burst," Akinbiyi explained. "That led to loss of control before the vehicle now swerved and rammed into the stationary truck that was parked. There was excessive speed."
Joshua Pays Respects as Community Mourns
Anthony Joshua, who sustained minor injuries and has been discharged from hospital, joined his mother in paying their respects to the deceased friends on Wednesday afternoon. They visited a funeral home in Nigeria ahead of the planned repatriation of the bodies to the UK.
The two friends who died have been named as Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele. Promoter Eddie Hearn, chairman of Joshua's Matchroom company, paid a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing: "With the heaviest of hearts. Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz."
The boxing world and the friends' communities in both the UK and Nigeria are now mourning the tragic loss, as the legal process begins to determine accountability for the fatal incident.
