British boxing star Anthony Joshua was left in a state of shock and unable to speak immediately after being involved in a fatal car accident in Nigeria earlier this week, an eyewitness has revealed.
Eyewitness Account of the Tragic Collision
The incident occurred on Monday near Lagos, when the Lexus SUV Joshua was travelling in collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway. The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of two of Joshua's close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele.
Ajala Yusuf, who witnessed the aftermath, described the scene to Sky News. "We heard a noise, boom," Yusuf said. "We thought it was one of those trucks whose tyre had burst. We then saw a car drive under a truck that was parked on the highway, and we rushed down to see what had happened."
Yusuf recounted seeing the 36-year-old former world heavyweight champion being pulled from the vehicle. "He was shocked at the deadliness of the incident," he stated. "He was shocked. He couldn't talk."
Legal Proceedings and Funeral Details
On Friday, 2nd January 2026, the driver of the SUV, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, aged 46, was charged at Sagamu Magistrates' Court. The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the case has been adjourned until 20th January, 2026.
Kayode's lawyer told the Mail that his client pleaded not guilty, stating the incident was an accident and claiming the vehicle's brakes failed. The lawyer also revealed a crucial detail about the journey's start in Lagos, noting that Joshua had initially sat in the front passenger seat but was asked to move to the back by the driver, who said he couldn't see the wing mirror properly due to Joshua's size.
The funerals for Ghami and Ayodele were held on Sunday at a mosque in London. Joshua, who was released from hospital on Wednesday after suffering minor injuries, attended to pay his respects.
Joshua's Connection to the Region
Born in Watford, Joshua has strong Nigerian heritage, with family roots in Sagamu, the area close to where the crash happened. A family member said the boxer was visiting relatives to celebrate the New Year, following his recent victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul last month.
The community and sporting world now await further developments in the legal case as Joshua recovers from the physical and emotional trauma of the accident that claimed the lives of his friends.
