LAGOS, Nigeria — The driver of British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been charged in connection with a highway crash in Nigeria that killed two members of the boxer’s team, police said Friday.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, appeared before the Sagamu Magistrates’ Court, where prosecutors filed four charges, including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and driving without a valid driver’s license, according to police sources.
The crash occurred Monday on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun state when a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck.
Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami, were killed at the scene.
Joshua was injured and taken to hospital, where he was treated and discharged on Wednesday.
Kayode was granted bail set at 5 million naira (about $3,200) and remanded pending fulfillment of bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to Jan. 20.
Joshua, 36, was traveling to Sagamu, his ancestral hometown, to visit relatives for New Year celebrations, a family member told the BBC.
Ogun and Lagos state officials said the boxer was “heavy hearted” over the deaths of Ayodele and Ghami, both described as close friends.
After leaving hospital, Joshua visited a funeral home where the bodies were being prepared for repatriation, officials said.
Promoter Eddie Hearn paid tribute to the two men in a social media post, calling them loyal and energetic members of Joshua’s team.
Joshua had been in Nigeria following his Dec. 19 victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who also offered condolences, saying life was “much more important than boxing.”
