Former unified heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has been flown back to the United Kingdom to continue his recovery after a devastating car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his associates.
Private Jet Arrival at Stansted
Anthony Joshua touched down at London Stansted Airport aboard a private jet on Friday night, 3 January 2026. The boxer, who was involved in a ghastly motor accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway earlier in the week, was subsequently taken to his mansion. A source revealed that his departure from Lagos's Murtala Mohammed International Airport was delayed, initially scheduled for 14:10 but eventually taking off at 15:45. The private jet landed in London at approximately 21:45.
Court Reveals How Joshua Swapped Seats Before Crash
New details from court proceedings in Ogun State have shed light on the moments leading to the fatal crash. The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, appeared before the Ogun State Multidoor Court in Sagamu on Friday. He pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter, reckless driving, and driving without a licence.
During questioning, the 47-year-old driver, dressed in a black Muslim kaftan, made a startling revelation. He explained that Anthony Joshua had initially been in the front passenger seat but was asked to move to the back seat directly behind the driver due to his height. "The journey started smoothly from the airport right to the expressway until he couldn’t feel the brake anymore," Adeniyi told the court. This last-minute seat change is what reportedly saved Joshua's life, though he sustained injuries requiring hospitalisation.
National Mourning and Presidential Condolences
The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals: Sina Ghami and Lateef Ayodele, who were flanking Joshua in photographs from the trip. The case has been adjourned as investigations continue.
In response to the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu personally reached out to the boxer. Through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, it was disclosed that the President called Joshua to offer his condolences and prayers. "I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him," President Tinubu said. He also extended his support to Joshua's family, noting that he spoke with the boxer's mother, who was appreciative of the call.
The nation now watches as Anthony Joshua continues his recovery in the UK, while a community mourns the loss of life on one of Nigeria's busiest highways.
