A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Sagamu, Ogun State, has adjourned the trial of Adeniyi Kayode, the driver involved in the fatal road accident that claimed the lives of heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, on December 29, 2025.
The case was adjourned to February 25, 2026.
Kayode, a 46-year-old driver, was arraigned before the Sagamu Magistrate’s Court on January 2, with Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun presiding. He is standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on dangerous and reckless driving.
The charges include dangerous driving causing death, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Federal Highway Act, Cap F:135, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as applicable in Ogun State); reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Act; driving without due care and attention causing bodily harm and damage to property, contrary to Section 7(1); and driving without a valid national driver’s licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the same Act.
When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Nijiwe Richard, applied for an adjournment to enable the prosecution transmit the case file to the Ogun State Attorney-General through the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice, in the interest of justice.
The application was opposed by defence counsel, Abiodun Olalekan, who informed the court that the defence was ready to proceed with the trial.
In her ruling, Magistrate Somefun granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the case to February 25 for further hearing. The defendant was admitted to bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with two sureties.
The accident occurred on December 29, 2025, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, when a Lexus SUV in which Joshua and his friends were, collided with a stationary truck. Ayodele and Ghami died from injuries sustained in the crash, while Anthony Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries.
Joshua was later discharged from hospital after being certified clinically fit to continue his recovery at home.
The former world heavyweight champion, accompanied by his mother, later visited a Lagos funeral home to pay his last respects as the bodies of Ayodele and Ghami were prepared for repatriation. He subsequently travelled to the United Kingdom for their funeral rites.
The remains of Ayodele and Ghami were flown to the UK, where a funeral prayer was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.
Both men were regarded as key members of Joshua’s boxing team, and their deaths sent shockwaves through the international boxing community.
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