Omanghana
A Nigerian court has heard that the driver of a vehicle carrying former two-time unified world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was attempting to overtake a moving truck moments before crashing into a stationary lorry.
The accident, which occurred in late December on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun, claimed the lives of two prominent members of Joshua’s team—his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.
The driver, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, is facing several charges, including causing death by dangerous driving and operating a vehicle without a valid national driver’s licence. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Evidence presented in court indicated that Joshua and his companions were travelling towards Ogun State to visit the boxer’s father when the crash occurred. The passengers were reportedly asleep as Kayode attempted to overtake a moving truck.
Kayode allegedly lost control of the Lexus SUV and crashed heavily into a stationary lorry carrying soya beans. Ayodele and Ghami sustained fatal injuries, while Joshua survived and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The driver of the parked lorry, 35-year-old Abubakar Adamu, has also been charged with obstructing the free flow of traffic. He has pleaded not guilty.
Testifying before the court, Inspector Christopher Ajayi Taiwo of the Ogun State Motor Traffic Division said both damaged vehicles had already been removed from the road when police officers arrived at the scene. However, debris and spilled soya beans were still visible.
Investigators reportedly recovered several items near the driver’s seat of the Lexus, including a vehicle logbook, painkillers and an energy drink.
During cross-examination, Inspector Taiwo disclosed that police had not obtained an official witness statement from Joshua eight months after the accident. He explained that he did not have the boxer’s direct telephone contact.
The trial is continuing as the court examines the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision and the responsibilities of the two drivers.
Source: Omanghana
