Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria — The legal proceedings involving Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver of the vehicle in which British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua was travelling when a fatal crash occurred in December 2025, were postponed once more on Tuesday by a Magistrate Court in Sagamu. The court adjourned the matter to April 16, 2026, after prosecutors indicated they had received fresh details they wanted to incorporate into the case before continuing. The case has become one of the most closely watched legal matters in the state, drawing sustained media and public interest.
At the latest hearing, counsel for the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), R.D. Kadiri, informed Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun that his team had obtained new information that morning and requested additional time to include it in the prosecution’s evidence. The defence, led by Abiodun Olalekan, voiced frustration, describing the repeated delays as delay tactics that were wasting court time. The judge ultimately agreed to the adjournment to allow the prosecution to properly prepare.
This adjournment follows a series of earlier postponements as the prosecution continues preparations. In January, the case was deferred to January 20, 2026, shortly after Kayode was initially arraigned, to allow police and prosecutors time to duplicate and forward the case file to the Ogun State Attorney-General’s office for legal advice and review. Subsequent hearings in February were also adjourned due to missing witnesses and ongoing evidence gathering by the prosecution.
The case stems from a tragic traffic crash on December 29, 2025, on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, one of the busiest highways in southwest Nigeria. Kayode was driving a Lexus sports utility vehicle conveying Anthony Joshua, his close associates and members of his team when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck near the Sagamu axis of the expressway. The crash occurred around mid-day during heavy holiday travel.
Two of Joshua’s associates — Kevin Latif Ayodele, his personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach — were killed instantly in the collision. Both men were described as long-time members of the boxer’s support team and integral to his training regime. Their deaths sent shockwaves through sporting circles and prompted an outpouring of sympathy from fans and peers alike.
Anthony Joshua and Kayode suffered minor injuries in the crash and were rushed to hospital for treatment. Joshua was later discharged after being deemed fit to continue recovery at home. Local authorities confirmed that the accident had been reported promptly and that both state and federal road safety emergency services responded quickly to the scene.
In the days following the accident, law enforcement and traffic agencies in Ogun State began investigations into the circumstances of the crash. Preliminary findings from the Federal Road Safety Corps and local police suggested that the SUV was travelling at high speed and may have attempted an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre before the collision. Excessive speed and wrongful overtaking were cited among the leading contributing factors to the crash, with officials highlighting the dangers of such behaviour on high-speed highways.
Kayode, 46, was subsequently arrested and charged with a series of traffic offences connected to the incident. The charges brought against him include dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention causing bodily harm and damage to property, and driving without a valid national driver’s licence — all offences under Nigeria’s Federal Highway Act and applicable state law.
At his first court appearance in early January 2026, Kayode was remanded in custody before being granted bail with two sureties. He was required to meet the bail conditions before his release, and the case was initially adjourned for trial.
The prosecution’s repeated requests for adjournments reflect the ongoing effort to compile thorough evidence and legal submissions in a case that involves both domestic traffic laws and broader issues of public concern over road safety and accident accountability. Earlier hearings were postponed to allow time for the duplication of the case file, gathering of witnesses, and obtaining legal advice from the state’s Attorney-General through the DPP.
Defence counsel has expressed dissatisfaction with the frequency of these delays, stressing that prolonged adjournments can undermine public confidence in efficient justice delivery. The repeated rescheduling has become a focal point of commentary among legal observers, who note the challenge of balancing prosecutorial preparedness with the defendant’s right to a timely trial.
The crash and resulting court proceedings have attracted widespread attention not only because of Anthony Joshua’s global sporting profile but also because of the tragic loss of life and the larger conversation it has sparked around road safety in Nigeria. The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, in particular, has long been associated with a high incidence of serious road accidents, prompting calls from safety advocates for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and infrastructure improvements.
Fans and commentators on social media platforms expressed shock and sorrow after the accident, with many mourning the loss of Ayodele and Ghami and wishing a full recovery for Joshua. Some discussions online debated potential causes of the crash, from vehicle speed to road conditions and mechanical factors, while others focused on the emotional toll of the tragedy on all involved.
Joshua’s promoter, peers and sporting figures sent messages of condolence following the deaths of his associates, underscoring the deep bonds between athletes and their training teams. The incident occurred just days after Joshua’s return to Nigeria following a high-profile boxing bout, adding a somber context to what had been a celebratory visit.
As the trial enters its next scheduled hearing on April 16, 2026, attention will focus on how the fresh information cited by the prosecution influences the case. Legal experts emphasise that the forthcoming session may set the tone for how evidence is presented and examined in subsequent hearings. Both the prosecution and defence will have the opportunity to make their arguments before the magistrate, who will then determine how the trial proceeds.
For now, the case remains a reminder of the consequences of high-speed travel on major highways, the responsibilities of drivers under Nigerian law, and the broader challenges faced by the justice system in managing complex and high-profile cases.
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