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The driver of the crash that injured boxer Anthony Joshua and killed two of his friends was charged with dangerous and reckless driving, police spokesman Oluseyi Babaseyi said in a statement on Friday.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele hit a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which links Ogun State to Lagos.
The defendant was charged with four counts, including dangerous driving resulting in death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and driving without a valid national driver’s license.
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Anthony Joshua in the ring under Netflix Ads Sponsors at “Jake vs Joshua” at Kaseya Arena on December 19, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. (John Parra/Getty Images for Netflix)
Joshua, a three-time heavyweight champion, was released from hospital on Wednesday after sustaining minor injuries in the accident that raised questions about road safety in Nigeria. The boxer was discharged after being deemed clinically fit to recover at home, authorities said.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu wrote X that he had sent his condolences to Joshua for the loss of his friends.
“I have spoken to AJ to personally convey my condolences on the passing of two of his close associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami in the recent accident,” he wrote in a post. “I wished him a full and speedy recovery and prayed with him. AJ assured me that he will receive the best possible care.
“I also spoke to his mother and prayed for her. She was deeply grateful for the call.”
Joshua was considered “stable” after the crash, according to Nigerian officials. He suffered minor injuries and was otherwise “fine”.
British boxer Anthony Joshua gets into an emergency vehicle after being involved in a car crash in which he suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital in Ogun State, Nigeria on Dec. 29, 2025, according to police, in this screenshot from social media video. (Sodiq Ayo via REUTERS)
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Pictures showed Joshua bruised and being freed from the vehicle he was riding in.
“The vehicle transporting Mr. Joshua, a Lexus SUV, was involved in the accident under circumstances that are currently being investigated. Joshua, who was in the back of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical attention with another injured person,” Ogun State Police said in an earlier statement.
A preliminary investigation determined that the vehicle “traveled beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking maneuver and crashed into a stationary truck” on the side of the road, according to Federal Road Safety Corps spokesman Olusegun Ogungbemide.
Joshua recently met Jake Paul in a boxing match and knocked him out. Paul said he prayed for Joshua.
“Life is much more important than boxing. I pray for the lives lost, AJ and anyone affected by today’s unfortunate accident,” he wrote on X.
Joshua is the son of British Nigerian parents. He spent time at a Nigerian boarding school when he was younger, but returned to the UK after his parents divorced.
Anthony Joshua during his fight against Jake Paul on December 19, 2025. (REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo)
Joshua is a three-time heavyweight champion. He has held the WBA Super Heavyweight Championship, the IBF Heavyweight Championship and the WBO Heavyweight Championship. He lost his titles against Oleksandr Usyk back in September 2021.
