A 47-year-old man, Kayode Adeniyi, the driver who conveyed British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua during a fatal road accident, has been arraigned before a High Court of Ogun State sitting in Sagamu for manslaughter and reckless driving.
Adeniyi was arrested shortly after the incident and interrogated at the Eleweran Police Station, Abeokuta, where he gave his account of the circumstances surrounding the crash. He was subsequently charged to court.
A police source confirmed the development to The Guardian, saying, “He is currently in court. More details are expected as proceedings continue.”
However, the arrest has sparked public debate. A social commentator, Menzie Abia, faulted the decision to prosecute the driver, describing it as an attempt to deflect attention from systemic failures.
According to Abia, Adeniyi has served as Joshua’s Nigerian driver for several years, arguing that prolonged service contradicts allegations of recklessness.
“If he had been a reckless driver, Anthony Joshua would not have retained him for that long,” he said.
Abia blamed poor road infrastructure for the accident, citing the absence of road shoulders, traffic signs, speed-limit notices, hazard warnings and proper signage on the federal highway.
“A truck was reportedly parked on the highway without warning signs, yet the government does not see that as a serious traffic issue,” he said, adding that the driver was being scapegoated to cover official incompetence.
The fatal accident occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025, on a busy highway in Makun, Ogun State, when the vehicle conveying Joshua and his companions collided with a stationary truck.
Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight boxing champion, sustained minor injuries and has since been discharged from hospital after receiving medical treatment in Nigeria.
Tragically, two of his companions — identified as Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami — died at the scene after sustaining fatal injuries. Their bodies are expected to be repatriated to their families for burial.
The group had reportedly spent time playing tennis earlier in the day before embarking on the journey.
Joshua is expected to take a break from boxing as he mourns the loss of his friends and completes his recovery.
