Anthony Joshua Accident

As of Friday, January 2, 2026, British boxer and former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua’s driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged for today’s unfortunate accident—a fatal car accident that claimed the lives of two members of Joshua’s team: personal trainer Latif Ayodele and strength coach Sina Ghami.

Anthony Joshua in Car Crash and How It Relates to Wrongful Death Cases Here and Abroad

The crash in Nigeria occurred while Joshua was spending time visiting the homeland of his parents. The tragic crash on Nigeria’s Lagos-Ibadan Expressway happened on December 29, 2025, at about 11 a.m. local time, and also resulted in injuries to Joshua. He was taken to the hospital for checks and treatment and was reported to be in stable condition following the crash.

Prosecutors brought four charges against Kayode, including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s licence, according to the BBC.

The incident has drawn international attention, occurring just 10 days after the highly publicized Netflix broadcast of Joshua’s victory over contender Jake Paul by a sixth-round knockout at the Kaseya Center in Miami on December 19. Joshua had recently returned to boxing after a year out, following his previous notable fight with Andy Ruiz Jr., and is also known for winning Olympic gold at the London 2012 Games.

This case illustrates the legal concept of wrongful death, demonstrating how personal injury law addresses fatal accidents resulting from negligence, preventable accidents, and dangerous road conditions. This article will further explain the principles of wrongful death, highlighting the legal actions that can be taken by surviving family members.

A Brief Summary of the Incident in Ogun State

The fatal car crash involving Joshua occurred along the notorious Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria. The vehicle involved, a Lexus SUV, carrying Joshua and his team members, lost control and collided with a stationary truck, resulting in a devastating road traffic accident.

The crash claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s good friends and trusted team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, both of whom played pivotal roles in his training and support network. Joshua himself sustained minor injuries and was promptly transported to a local hospital for emergency medical intervention.

Eyewitness accounts and early reports described the scene as chaotic, with the wrecked vehicle bearing testament to the force of the impact. The incident has been characterized as a result of reckless and negligent driving, with the SUV’s loss of control leading to both death and bodily harm.

The loss of Ghami and Ayodele has stunned the boxing community, highlighting the major risks associated with reckless driving and the importance of road safety on busy highways, nationally and internationally.

The driver, 46-year-old Adenyi Mobalaji Kayode, was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing bodily harm, operating without a valid license, and reckless driving. He was granted bail of 5,000,000 Naira with specific bail conditions and was remanded pending fulfillment of those conditions. He faces a court date on January 20, 2026.

How Wrongful Death Relates to the Fatal Crash in Nigeria

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to the negligence of another individual, company, or entity. Unlike criminal cases that punish offenders, wrongful death claims fall under civil law and aim to provide financial compensation to surviving family members and dependents who have suffered losses.

These cases typically arise from various circumstances, including vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace incidents, and the use of defective products.

The Nigeria crash presents a standard scenario for potential wrongful death claims. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps’ preliminary investigation, exceeding the speed limit and an overtaking maneuver were identified as the primary causes when the car involved, a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua, lost control and crashed into a stationary truck. 

The emotional impact on Joshua is impossible to measure due to the loss of his close friends and team members. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, expressed profound sadness over the loss of Ghami and Ayodele. Tributes have poured in from the boxing community for both men following their deaths in the crash.

Elements of a Wrongful Death Claim Following the Car Accident

Certain legal elements must be established in a wrongful death case, such as:

• A death must have occurred.
• The death must have been caused by another party’s negligence or intent to cause harm.
• Surviving family members or the estate must have suffered financial damages as a result.
• A personal representative must be appointed for the deceased’s estate.

In the Joshua incident, these elements appear to be present. Two associates and members of Joshua’s team, Ghami and Ayodele, were the two passengers who were killed and tragically passed in the crash.

Multiple factors suggest negligence, including excessive speed, improper overtaking maneuvers, the driver’s lack of a valid license, and potentially inadequate vehicle maintenance if tire failure contributed (as some reports indicate).

Additionally, the victims’ families have undoubtedly suffered both emotional trauma and financial losses, particularly given Ghami’s ten-year professional relationship with Joshua and his work with other elite athletes.

Eligible Parties Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim + Recoverable Damages

A personal representative of the deceased’s estate generally initiates a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of eligible claimants. While wrongful death statutes vary by jurisdiction, the following family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit:

• Spouses
• Children
• Parents
• Domestic partners
• Financial dependents
• Distant family members

Recoverable damages in wrongful death cases often fall into two categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages include medical expenses incurred before death (medical bills, ER visit, etc.), funeral and burial costs, lost wages and benefits the deceased would have earned, loss of inheritance, and the value of household services the deceased provided. 

Non-economic damages address loss of companionship, guidance, and consortium, as well as pain and suffering experienced by survivors.

For families of Ghami and Ayodele, potential economic damages could be substantial. Ghami ran a gym in north London and worked as a rehabilitation coach for NFL and NBA athletes, including Le’Veon Bell and Draymond Green, suggesting significant earning capacity.

Both men were integral to Joshua’s training team, representing lost professional relationships and future earnings. The calculation of such damages requires expert testimony from an experienced wrongful death attorney regarding life expectancy, earning potential, and family financial dependency.

Investigation and Charges Against Anthony Joshua’s Driver

Following the fatal crash, a preliminary investigation was initiated, quickly identifying excessive speed and reckless and negligent driving as key factors in the accident.

The driver of the Lexus SUV, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was found to be operating the vehicle without a valid national driver’s license and was subsequently charged with four counts:

1. Dangerous driving causing death
2. Reckless and negligent driving
3. Driving without due care and attention, resulting in bodily harm and property damage, and
4. Driving without proper documentation

Kayode, who denied all charges, was granted bail set at 5,000,000 Naira by the Sagamu Magistrates Court, with the trial adjourned until January 20, 2026. The Ogun State Police Command, in collaboration with the Nigerian police, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, focusing on the driver’s actions and the events leading up to the collision.

The case highlights the serious legal consequences of negligent driving and the vital role of law enforcement in seeking justice for the lost lives of Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

When Multiple Liable Parties Are Involved

Wrongful death cases sometimes involve multiple potentially liable parties, and the Nigeria incident exemplifies this, making the case more complex.

The driver clearly faces criminal charges and could be held civilly liable for negligence. However, other parties could share responsibility. For example, if vehicle maintenance was inadequate or mechanical failure contributed to the crash, the vehicle owner or maintenance provider could also be held liable.

Additionally, if road conditions, inadequate signage, or improper placement of the stationary truck contributed to the incident, government entities responsible for road maintenance might bear partial responsibility.

Nigeria’s Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has earned the unfortunate distinction of being the country’s most dangerous road, with over 600 fatalities recorded during a 27-month period. This pattern of accidents raises questions about whether continuous road safety failures constitute negligence on the part of government authorities.

In many jurisdictions, sovereign immunity limits claims against government entities, though exceptions exist when gross negligence or failure to maintain safe public infrastructure is demonstrated.

International and Cross-Jurisdictional Complications

The Joshua crash involves additional complications common in international wrongful death cases. The victims, both British nationals working abroad, died in Nigeria while employed by or associated with a British athlete with Nigerian heritage. This raises questions about:

• Which jurisdiction’s laws are applicable in the case?
• Where should the wrongful death claims be filed?
• How should damages be calculated?

Different countries have vastly different legal frameworks for wrongful death. Some jurisdictions cap damages, while others allow unlimited recovery.

Additionally, the statute of limitations of how long someone has to file a wrongful death claim varies, as do standards for proving negligence. International treaties and choice-of-law provisions in employment contracts may dictate which country’s courts have jurisdiction. For Ghami and Ayodele’s families, navigating these legal complexities will require experienced legal counsel familiar with both British and Nigerian civil law.

The Role of Criminal Proceedings

An important distinction exists between criminal charges and civil wrongful death claims. The driver’s criminal prosecution for causing death by dangerous driving operates independently from any civil lawsuit.

Criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt and aim to punish wrongdoing through fines or imprisonment. Wrongful death claims require proof by a preponderance of evidence to seek financial compensation rather than punishment.

Criminal convictions can strengthen civil cases by establishing facts and liability, but the outcome of a criminal case does not always guarantee the same result in a subsequent civil case.

Therefore, families may pursue wrongful death claims regardless of a criminal case verdict, and evidence presented in criminal proceedings often proves valuable in civil litigation.

Broader Implications for Road Safety

The Federal Road Safety Corps acknowledged that excessive speed and wrongful overtaking remain leading causes of fatal crashes on Nigerian highways. Social media showed Joshua being helped from the wrecked vehicle, and footage captured as Joshua walked away from the crash site to safety.

Eyewitnesses reported that Joshua was trapped inside the car for about 20 minutes before being rescued. Promoter Matchroom Boxing confirmed the deaths of Joshua’s friends and expressed support for all affected.

The presidential involvement of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu demonstrates the incident’s significance. Tinubu posted on social media, personally conveying his sympathy to Joshua and his family and wishing him a speedy recovery.

Whether this tragedy establishes meaningful road safety reforms remains uncertain, but legal accountability through wrongful death claims often proves more effective than public attention alone.

What Happens Next?

The deaths of Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele represent not just personal tragedies for their families and Anthony Joshua but also illustrate how wrongful death laws can provide legal recourse against negligent behavior.

As investigations continue and the driver’s criminal case proceeds, the potential for civil wrongful death claims is possible. Additionally, through legal and financial consequences, it can be incentivized to promote safer practices and better-maintained infrastructure.

These cases serve the dual purpose of compensating families for immeasurable losses while also holding responsible parties accountable to prevent future tragedies from occurring again.

Help From an Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney

If you’ve suffered the loss of a family member due to another person’s negligence or misconduct, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. Focus on your recovery and honoring your loved one’s memory while a dedicated wrongful death attorney handles the legal burden on your behalf. 

Contact Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer to schedule a free consultation. Together, you can explore your legal options, understand the timeline that applies to your wrongful death case, and begin the process of rebuilding your future. After an accident,Jeff’s got you.