Court Grants ₦5 Million Bail to Anthony Joshua’s Driver as Tragic Sagamu Crash Heads to Trial

A magistrate court sitting in Sagamu, Ogun State, has granted bail to Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver involved in the fatal road accident that claimed the lives of two close associates of former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua. The development marks a significant legal step in a case that has continued to attract national and international attention due to the high-profile status of the boxer and the tragic loss of lives.

Kayode, aged 46, was arraigned on Friday following investigations by the Ogun State Police Command. According to court documents, he was charged on a four-count charge bordering on dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid national driver’s licence. After hearing submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, the magistrate granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties. However, Kayode was remanded in a correctional facility pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.

Confirming the court proceedings, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed that the case has been adjourned to January 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial. In a statement released to the public, Babaseyi said the police acted in line with due process and assured that investigations were thorough and professional.

The tragic incident occurred last Monday along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway, around the Sinoma area near Sagamu. Reports indicate that the Lexus SUV conveying Anthony Joshua and three other occupants was travelling from Lagos to Sagamu when it collided with a stationary truck parked off the road. The impact of the crash was severe, resulting in the deaths of Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami. Ghami was Joshua’s long-time friend and strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele served as his personal trainer.

Anthony Joshua himself survived the accident and reportedly sustained only minor injuries. He was rushed to Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he received medical attention and was later discharged on Wednesday. Following his discharge, police authorities arrested the driver as part of ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Conflicting reports have since emerged regarding the cause of the accident. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in its preliminary findings, attributed the crash to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking. However, the Ogun State Police Command offered a different explanation, stating that a tyre burst played a major role in the incident. These contradictory accounts have fueled public debate and raised questions about accident investigation procedures and accountability on Nigerian highways.

The case has also sparked intense reactions among Nigerians, particularly on social media and public forums. While many have called for full justice for the deceased, others argue that the incident was a tragic accident compounded by systemic failures such as poor road monitoring, weak enforcement of speed limits, and the prolonged presence of broken-down vehicles along major highways. Some commentators have questioned why the stationary truck was allowed to remain by the roadside for an extended period, while others insist that the driver’s alleged recklessness and lack of a valid licence are sufficient grounds for prosecution.

Beyond the legal arguments, the tragedy has reignited conversations around road safety, driver vetting, and the responsibilities of high-profile individuals and their management teams. Questions have been raised about how a driver without a valid licence could be employed to drive a high-performance SUV over long distances at high speed.

As the case moves toward trial, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how justice is served. For the families of the deceased, the court proceedings represent a search for accountability and closure. For the wider public, the case underscores the urgent need for improved road safety enforcement, clearer accident investigations, and stronger institutional responsibility to prevent avoidable tragedies on Nigeria’s highways.