Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom after surviving a tragic road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members. The crash, which happened on Monday, December 29, 2025, has continued to draw public attention in Nigeria and abroad due to Joshua’s global profile and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Joshua, 36, sustained minor injuries in the accident and was treated at a hospital in Ogun State. He was discharged on New Year’s Eve after doctors confirmed that his condition was stable. According to reports, the boxer flew back to the UK shortly after his discharge to recover and be with family members while funeral arrangements are made for the deceased.
A report by the BBC confirmed Joshua’s return, stating that the former heavyweight champion had left Nigeria following the fatal crash that took the lives of two men who were very close to him. The men, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, were key members of Joshua’s support team. Ghami served as his strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was his personal trainer.
The accident occurred along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway near the Makun area of Ogun State. This highway is one of the busiest roads in Nigeria, linking Lagos, the country’s commercial capital, with Ibadan and other parts of the South-West and beyond. Over the years, the road has been known for frequent accidents, many of which involve broken-down or improperly parked trucks.
On the day of the crash, Joshua and his team were travelling in a Lexus SUV from Lagos to Sagamu, where the boxer planned to visit relatives for New Year celebrations. Reports said the SUV collided with a stationary truck on the expressway. The impact killed Ghami and Ayodele at the scene, while Joshua and others in the vehicle survived.
The tragedy came just 10 days after Joshua recorded a major career highlight, knocking out American social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a highly publicised bout in Miami. The victory had placed Joshua back in the spotlight as he continues efforts to revive his boxing career after previous setbacks.
Following the crash, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the driver of the Lexus SUV, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, had been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a valid licence. The police said Kayode was arraigned in court and granted bail in the sum of N5 million. He was remanded pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions, and the case was adjourned until January 20, 2026.
However, the case has generated debate after Kayode’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, publicly defended his father. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ifeoluwa insisted that the accident was not caused by reckless driving but by mechanical failure and road conditions.
“Dad is not a fast driver; he was following the speed limit when the brakes failed,” he said. “He said he was pushing the pedal, but nothing was happening. He’s been driving for Anthony for three years; he’s a good driver. It’s not his fault. If the truck wasn’t parked there illegally, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, also shared details of the moments before the crash, revealing that Joshua survived due to a last-minute change of seats inside the vehicle. According to the lawyer, Joshua had initially sat in the front passenger seat when the journey began in Lagos.
“I understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat, but the driver asked him to swap seats,” Abiodun said. “He did this because Anthony is a big fellow, and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly, so he asked him to move.”
Abiodun explained that Joshua then moved to the back seat behind the driver, while Latif Ayodele took the front passenger seat. Sadly, Ayodele was among those who lost their lives when the crash occurred. Many have described Joshua’s survival as miraculous, given the severity of the impact.
The deaths of Ghami and Ayodele have been deeply felt within the boxing community and among Joshua’s fans, especially in Nigeria. Although Joshua was born and raised in the United Kingdom, he is of Nigerian descent and has always spoken proudly of his roots. He enjoys massive support in the country, where many young people see him as a symbol of hard work and success.
The funerals of Ghami and Ayodele are scheduled to take place on Sunday at the London Central Mosque. The Janaza prayer will allow family members, friends, and colleagues to gather and pay their final respects. The choice of London reflects the fact that both men were based in the UK, and their bodies were repatriated after the crash.
Meanwhile, leaders in Nigeria have also reacted to the tragic incident. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to members of the public for their prayers and support for Joshua and the families of the deceased. They also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support during the difficult period.
Both state governments described the accident as painful and deeply unfortunate. In separate messages, they commiserated with the families of Ghami and Ayodele and prayed that God would grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.