The Ogun State Police Command has arrested the driver of the Lexus sport utility vehicle involved in the fatal accident that killed two of Anthony Joshua’s close friends, but the case has been adjourned until January 20, 2026 to allow for further proceedings, Saturday Punch reported.
The driver, identified as Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was arraigned at the Sagamu Magistrate’s Court on Friday, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olusei Babasei.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday, Babaseyi disclosed that the case has been adjourned until January 20, 2026 to allow for further proceedings.
The arraignment came just two days after the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Adeniyi following the accident that occurred near Danko along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on December 29, 2025.
The accident claimed the lives of Kevin Latif Ayodele, 36, a British-Nigerian national, and Sheena Gami, 36, a British national, who were colleagues and training staff of the former world heavyweight boxing champion.
Adeniyi, a long-time member of Joshua’s Nigeria logistics team, was discharged from a hospital in Lagos late on New Year’s Eve after being treated for minor injuries. He was then driven to Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital where the accident occurred, for interrogation at the state police headquarters.
Police sources had earlier revealed that Adeniyi was suspected of driving well over the 105 mph speed limit on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when he lost control when a tire burst while overtaking.
A Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN reportedly collided with a truck loaded with soybeans that was illegally parked on the roadside. The force of the impact tore the front part of the vehicle apart.
Gami and Ayodele died instantly, while Joshua and Adeniyi suffered only minor injuries. Joshua, who was sitting behind the driver, narrowly escaped death, but local first responders described his survival as a “miracle.”
“The driver was released after being treated for minor injuries and taken to state police headquarters for questioning. He is in stable condition and has given us an explanation of the events leading up to the accident,” a police source told the Daily Mail earlier this week.
The official added that Adeniyi is expected to be charged with reckless driving within 48 hours, but the bank holiday could delay the process.
As per the police, Mr. Adeniyi appeared in the Sagamu Magistrate Court on Friday, but details of the specific charges filed against him were not immediately disclosed.
The Lagos and Ogun state governments on Wednesday announced that Anthony Joshua has been discharged from the Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi after doctors confirmed that he is clinically fit to continue recuperating at home.
According to a joint statement signed by Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home in Lagos on Wednesday to pay their last respects to their two late friends, whose bodies were being prepared for repatriation.
The bodies were flown out of Lagos on a Turkish Airlines cargo flight, landing in Istanbul in the early hours of New Year’s Day before heading to London for final burial arrangements.
A joint statement said Mr Joshua was discharged from the Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi late on Wednesday after doctors confirmed he was clinically fit to continue recuperating at home.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State expressed their deep gratitude to the people for their immense concern, prayers and show of love following this sad incident.
They also expressed their gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his fatherly support throughout the period.
The government also commended the doctors and medical personnel at the Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi for their quality care, professionalism and dedication shown in treating Joshua and other injured in the accident.
The governments of both states once again expressed their condolences to the bereaved families, calling this incident painful and extremely regrettable. They prayed that Almighty God grant eternal rest to the souls of the deceased and give their families and loved ones strength to bear the irreparable loss.
The accident occurred around 11am on Monday, December 29, while Joshua and two of his friends were traveling from Lagos to an undisclosed destination.
Joshua and the couple had arrived in Nigeria earlier that day on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London.
The accident occurred just 10 days after the high-profile fight between Joshua and Jake Paul. The bout ended with the former world champion winning by knockout in the sixth round. The fight received a lot of attention and reportedly left Paul with a broken jaw.
Following news of the accident, Nigerian and international sporting figures sent messages of support to Joshua.
Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Bright Ossai-Samuel among others expressed their condolences and wished the boxer a speedy recovery.
According to the Daily Mail, the driver of an illegally parked truck has gone missing and police have launched a search. The identity of the truck driver has not been released.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, and police are expected to provide further information as the case progresses.
The next court hearing is expected to be held on January 20, when further information about the charges against Mr Adeniyi and the results of the police investigation into the fatal accident will be revealed.
