Anthony Joshua's Family Advocates Against Jail Term for Driver in Fatal Crash
The uncle of British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua has revealed that the family does not support sending the driver involved in a tragic crash that claimed the lives of two of Joshua's close friends to prison. This compassionate stance emerged as the legal proceedings unfolded in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Court Proceedings and Charges in the Fatal Accident
Adeniyi Kayode, a 46-year-old driver who had been employed by Joshua for three years, appeared before Magistrate Olajumoke Somefu at a Sagamu court on Tuesday, January 20. The case stems from a December accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, where the Lexus 570 SUV driven by Kayode collided with a stationary truck, resulting in the deaths of Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both described as close friends of the boxer.
Kayode faces four serious charges, including dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, and driving without a valid national driver's licence. During the hearing, the prosecution requested an adjournment to facilitate the transmission of the case file to the Ogun State Attorney-General's Office through the Department of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. Magistrate Somefu granted this application, setting the next hearing for February 25.
Family's Compassionate Position on the Driver's Fate
In an interview with Punch, Adedamola Joshua, Anthony Joshua's uncle, articulated the family's perspective. He emphasized that neither Joshua nor his relatives wish to see Kayode imprisoned. "Our son (Joshua) is so much deep in religion and taking everything by faith, he will not want anything to happen to the driver," Adedamola stated.
He further explained the emotional and practical considerations behind this stance, noting the close relationship between Joshua and Kayode. "I see closeness between them, and he will not like him to go to jail because he has got his own family, and the children will suffer," he added. The family views the incident as an unfortunate accident that could occur anywhere, urging authorities to show leniency. "The family is also not interested in him being jailed because an accident can happen anywhere in the world, so they should please spare this man. Let's move forward," Adedamola concluded.
Legal Developments and Bail Conditions
Prior to the court appearance, Kayode had been granted bail under stringent conditions, including a sum of N5 million with two sureties required to match this amount. During the proceedings, the defence counsel, Abiodun Olalekan, opposed the prosecution's request for an adjournment, arguing that the defence was prepared to proceed with the trial immediately. However, the magistrate upheld the prosecution's application, delaying the case to allow for proper legal review.
This case highlights the intersection of legal accountability and human compassion, as the Joshua family prioritizes forgiveness and forward movement over punitive measures. The outcome of the February 25 hearing will be closely watched, given the high-profile nature of those involved and the family's public plea for mercy.
