Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has attended the emotional funeral of two close friends who were killed in a car crash while he was a passenger in Nigeria.
A Tragic Incident Near Lagos
The fatal collision occurred on a major road near Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, 29 December 2025. The vehicle carrying Joshua struck a stationary truck. Sina Ghami, Joshua's strength and conditioning coach, and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, one of his trainers, both died in the crash.
Joshua was taken to hospital following the incident but was discharged two days later, on Wednesday, 31 December. He subsequently returned to the United Kingdom ahead of the funerals for his two friends.
Funeral Service in London
On Sunday, 4 January 2026, the two men were laid to rest. Joshua paid his respects, first sharing a poignant image on Instagram. The photo showed him sitting with his mother and three other women, one holding a picture of Ghami. He captioned the post 'My Brothers Keeper'.
The funeral began with the Janaza, the Islamic funeral prayer, at the London Central Mosque. The coffins of Ghami and Ayodele were placed side-by-side during the service. Hundreds of members of the public gathered outside the mosque gates. Following the prayers, the coffins were taken to a nearby crematorium for the funeral service, with a wake held in the afternoon.
Driver Charged by Nigerian Police
In a development on Friday, 2 January, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, had been charged in connection with the crash. He appeared at the Sagamu Magistrate Court facing multiple charges, including:
- Causing death by dangerous driving
- Reckless and negligent driving
- Driving without due care and attention
- Driving without a valid driver's licence
Kayode's lawyer stated that his client had pleaded not guilty, claiming the incident was an accident and that the vehicle's brakes had failed.
It also emerged that a last-minute seat swap may have saved Joshua's life. Joshua initially sat in the front passenger seat but was asked by the driver to move to the back because his size was obstructing the wing mirror. Latif Ayodele then took the front seat. This change in seating position meant Joshua was in the rear of the vehicle at the moment of impact.
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, had been on holiday in Nigeria following his knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December.
