The family of former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has openly questioned the necessity of prosecuting the driver involved in the December 29, 2025 crash that killed two members of the boxer’s inner circle, even as a Sagamu Magistrate Court on Tuesday adjourned the case to February 25, 2026. The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, is facing a four count charge including dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, and operating a vehicle without a valid license.
The charges stem from the December 29 accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, where the Lexus SUV he was driving collided with a stationary truck. Joshua sustained minor injuries, while his close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami died on the spot. But despite the gravity of the incident, Joshua’s family says they do not believe Kayode; who had worked as the boxer’s driver for three years, should be standing trial at all.
“We don’t see any reason for this trial” – Joshua’s uncle
Speaking at the family home, Joshua’s uncle Adedamola Joshua expressed deep reservations about the prosecution, describing the trial as unnecessary and emotionally burdensome. “We are very lucky that our son didn’t die. But taking this man to court is something we don’t see any reason for,” he told AFP. “This is my own personal opinion that the trial is not really worth it. Because we think accidents can happen anywhere in the world.” He added that Kayode had never given the family any cause for concern in the years he worked with Joshua, and that the driver had been visibly devastated since the crash.
Joshua’s uncle acknowledged that public sentiment in Sagamu appears to favor prosecution, with many residents insisting the driver must be held accountable for allegedly speeding. But he maintained that the family’s position remains unchanged: they do not believe Kayode should be criminalized for what they view as a tragic accident.
Court proceedings continue despite family’s stance
Inside the courtroom, the legal process moved forward even as the family’s opposition loomed in the background. The prosecuting counsel, Richard Nigiwe, requested an adjournment to allow the case file to be duplicated and forwarded to the Ogun State Attorney General for legal advice. Although the defense objected; arguing the prosecution had ample time to prepare, Magistrate Somefun ruled that the adjournment was necessary “in the interest of justice.” Kayode, who appeared downcast and avoided cameras outside the courthouse, had previously been remanded in custody before securing ₦5 million bail with two sureties.
A community divided
The tension between public calls for accountability and the Joshua family’s plea for leniency has created a complex emotional landscape around the case. While many in Sagamu insist the driver must face the full weight of the law, Joshua’s relatives argue that further legal action only deepens the pain of an already devastating loss. As the February 25 hearing approaches, the court will continue its work; but the family’s opposition underscores a rare moment where the victims’ loved ones are urging compassion rather than punishment.
