Anthony Joshua’s driver in Nigeria is set to face charges for ‘reckless driving’ following a tragic crash that resulted in the deaths of two of the boxer’s close associates. The driver, a 47-year-old member of Joshua’s Nigerian logistics team, is expected to be formally charged within the next 48 hours, according to reports.
After being discharged from a hospital in Lagos on New Year’s Eve, the driver was transported to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state, where the fatal crash occurred earlier this week. He underwent questioning for several hours and provided an official statement detailing the events leading up to the accident, which claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, two of Joshua’s dear friends.
Joshua, who was also released from the hospital, visited a funeral home with his mother to pay tribute to the deceased before their repatriation to the UK. A police source disclosed that the driver, after receiving treatment for minor injuries, was taken to the state police headquarters for further interrogation. A decision on potential charges for reckless driving is anticipated within the next 48 hours, pending the progress of the investigation.
The collision involved Joshua traveling in a black Lexus Jeep that reportedly struck a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The truck driver involved in the incident fled the scene and has since been declared wanted by authorities. Investigations suggest that overspeeding and a burst front tire on the SUV contributed to the loss of control that led to the fatal crash.
In response to the tragic event, Eddie Hearn, the chairman of Joshua’s promotional company Matchroom, expressed his condolences for the loss of Ghami and Ayodele. Sky has announced a reduction in the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering significant savings and an expanded coverage of live matches for the upcoming season, including at least 215 live Premier League games.