Trial Adjourned in Fatal Crash That Injured Joshua and Killed Two

The legal proceedings surrounding the crash that shook the boxing world late last year are moving slowly through the Nigerian court system. The trial of the driver charged in connection with the deaths of two Anthony Joshua team members has been delayed again, with the next hearing now set for November 17.

What Happened on December 29

On December 29, 2025, an SUV carrying two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and members of his entourage was travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway heading to visit Joshua's father in Ogun State. According to Sky Sports, driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode allegedly attempted to overtake another vehicle when the SUV slammed into a stationary truck on the roadside.

The collision proved fatal for two members of Joshua's close-knit team. Personal trainer Latif Ayodele and strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami both lost their lives in the crash. Joshua himself sustained injuries but survived and was subsequently discharged from medical care.

Four Charges Against the Driver

Kayode now faces a four-count charge in a magistrate court in Ogun State, where proceedings first got underway in January. The charges are serious — dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and operating a vehicle without a valid national driver's licence.

Prosecutors paint a clear picture: an overtaking manoeuvre gone catastrophically wrong, with devastating consequences for everyone involved. The case was most recently adjourned from September 10 before the November 17 date was set, meaning this legal process has been grinding along for the better part of a year.

One complicating factor raised in earlier court sessions — police confirmed that both vehicles had already been removed from the crash scene before investigators arrived, potentially affecting the physical evidence available to the prosecution.

Joshua's Road Back

Despite the trauma of that December night, Joshua has pushed forward. He's been [preparing for an emotional return to the ring]((/article/anthony-joshua-prepares-for-emotional-return-to-the-ring)) and stepped back into competition against Prenga in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the kind of resilience that has defined his career. He even came back from early knockdowns to win dramatically, reminding fans why he remains one of the sport's biggest draws.

For Joshua, returning to the gym and the ring will have carried an entirely different emotional weight knowing the coaches who shaped so much of his preparation were no longer there. Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami weren't just staff — they were core members of the team built around one of Britain's most decorated fighters.

What Comes Next

With the trial now scheduled to resume on November 17, all eyes will be on the Ogun State magistrate court to see whether proceedings can maintain momentum. Given the high-profile nature of the case — involving a globally recognised sporting figure and two tragic deaths — there is understandable public interest in seeing the legal process reach a conclusion.

Meanwhile, Joshua's career trajectory continues to generate headlines of its own. Conversations around a potential blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury have never fully gone away, with venue logistics and scheduling still being discussed at the highest levels of the sport.

For now though, a court date in Nigeria carries more immediate significance — not for Joshua's boxing future, but for justice on behalf of two men who never made it home that December night.