The crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on 29 December 2025 sent shockwaves through the boxing world: Anthony Joshua was hospitalized, two of his close friends were killed, and his driver now faces serious criminal charges. As the legal process unfolds, the full story of what happened that night is only now coming into focus.

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Crash date: 29 December 2025 ·
Location: Near Lagos, Nigeria ·
Fatalities: 2 ·
Anthony Joshua condition: Hospitalized, later stable ·
Driver legal status: Arraigned in court

Quick snapshot

1Crash Incident
  • Date: 29 December 2025 (ESPN)
  • Location: near Lagos, Nigeria (ESPN)
  • Vehicle: black SUV driven by Joshua’s driver (ESPN)
  • Collision with stationary lorry (ESPN)
2Casualties
  • Two friends of Joshua died at the scene (ESPN)
  • Joshua hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries (ESPN)
  • Driver survived and was arrested (ESPN)
3Legal Proceedings
  • Driver appeared in court on 20 January 2026 (ESPN)
  • Charged with causing death by dangerous driving (BBC News Pidgin)
  • Court date set for further hearings (ESPN)
4Public Response
  • Joshua spoke for first time in early January (ESPN)
  • Dedicated his victory to the deceased friends (ESPN)
  • Social media tributes from fans and boxing community (ESPN)

The events are tightly linked — a single moment on a highway set off a chain of legal, medical, and emotional consequences.

Key facts about the crash, its victims, and those involved:

Label Value
Full name of crash victim 1 Latif (surname not publicly confirmed)
Full name of crash victim 2 Adeniyi Kayode
Anthony Joshua’s date of birth 15 October 1989
Boxing record at time of crash 28 wins, 4 losses (as of late 2025)

What caused the Anthony Joshua car crash?

Officials have not yet released a final determination, but preliminary reports from the Nigerian police (law enforcement agency) indicate that the vehicle — a black SUV driven by Joshua’s driver — collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The crash occurred on the evening of 29 December 2025.

What does the preliminary police report indicate?

  • The vehicle struck a stationary lorry on a major road near Lagos (ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • Driver lost control or failed to avoid the obstacle.
  • No official cause confirmed yet; investigation ongoing.
The upshot

The police have not disclosed whether speed, road conditions, or driver distraction played a role. The investigation is still active, and the exact cause may not be known until court proceedings produce more evidence.

Were speed or road conditions factors?

As of early 2026, no official statement has addressed speed or road conditions. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is a major route known for heavy traffic and occasional road hazards. BBC News Pidgin (Nigerian-focused news service) reported that the driver faced four charges, but none directly mention speed as a factor.

How did the collision with the stationary lorry occur?

According to police statements cited by ESPN (sports news outlet), the SUV crashed into a stationary truck. The exact circumstances — whether the truck was parked on the road shoulder or in a travel lane — remain unclear. The driver’s account has not been made public.

Bottom line: The crash’s root cause is still under investigation. The driver failed to avoid a stationary lorry, but why he failed — whether due to distraction, mechanical failure, or road conditions — remains unanswered.

The implication: until the court proceedings produce evidence, the public may not learn the full set of contributing factors.

Who was driving the AJ car?

The driver was identified as Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, a 46-year-old man who was working as Anthony Joshua’s driver. He survived the crash and was arrested shortly after.

What is the driver’s name?

Was the driver injured?

Yes, the driver also sustained injuries in the crash but survived. He was treated at the same hospital as Joshua before being taken into police custody.

What is the driver’s relation to Anthony Joshua?

Kayode was employed as Joshua’s personal driver in Nigeria. He was driving the SUV at the time of the crash, with Joshua and two friends as passengers. Reports from ESPN (sports news outlet) indicate he had been working for Joshua for an unspecified period.

Why this matters

The driver’s identity and his role as an employee, not a friend, shape the legal liability. He faces serious charges, while Joshua is a victim and witness, not a suspect.

The pattern: employment status may influence how the court assigns responsibility.

What was Anthony Joshua’s driver charged with?

Kayode was arraigned at the Sagamu Magistrate Court on 20 January 2026. The police filed multiple charges.

What specific charges were filed?

  • Reckless and dangerous driving causing death (ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • Driving without a valid driver’s licence (ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • Driving without due care and attention causing bodily harm and damage to property (ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • BBC News Pidgin (Nigerian-focused news service) reported four charges in total.

When did the driver appear in court?

The arraignment took place on 20 January 2026 at the Sagamu Magistrate Court, as confirmed by ESPN, sports news outlet.

What is the possible penalty if convicted?

If found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, Kayode could face a prison sentence under Nigerian law. The court granted him bail set at five million naira, but he was to remain in detention until he met the bail conditions (ESPN, sports news outlet). The next hearing date has not been publicly announced.

Bottom line: The driver faces four charges, including causing death by dangerous driving. He is out on bail after a court appearance, but his full trial is yet to begin.

Who were Anthony Joshua’s friends?

Two men lost their lives in the crash: Latif (surname not publicly confirmed) and Adeniyi Kayode (not to be confused with the driver). They were close friends of Joshua, often seen in his training camp and social circle.

How many friends died in the crash?

  • Two people died at the scene (ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • Both were part of Joshua’s entourage.

What were their names?

Identified by ESPN, sports news outlet as Latif and Adeniyi Kayode. The full surname of Latif has not been made public.

How did Anthony Joshua pay tribute to them?

Joshua gave an emotional public statement in early January 2026, his first since the crash. He dedicated his subsequent victory over Kristian Prenga to his fallen friends. ESPN (sports news outlet) reported that he spoke about the loss with visible grief, saying the win was for them.

“I lost two brothers that night. This fight is for them.”

Anthony Joshua, as reported by ESPN

The human cost

The deaths of Latif and Adeniyi Kayode are not just statistics. They were part of Joshua’s inner circle, and their loss has deeply affected the boxer, who has used his platform to honor their memory.

When did Anthony Joshua have an accident in Nigeria?

The crash occurred on 29 December 2025 on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, near Lagos, Nigeria.

What was the exact date and time?

  • 29 December 2025, evening hours (as reported by ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • Time not precisely specified in official reports.

How long was Joshua hospitalized?

Joshua was treated at a hospital in Lagos and released after a few days. The exact length of his stay has not been disclosed by his representatives or medical staff. BBC News Pidgin (Nigerian-focused news service) reported that he was later seen in public in early January looking well.

When did he speak publicly about the crash?

He gave his first public statement in early January 2026, about one week after the crash, according to ESPN (sports news outlet). He also addressed the media during a press conference on 30 January 2026, where he dedicated his victory to the victims.

Bottom line: The crash happened on 29 December 2025. Joshua was hospitalized but released quickly, and he spoke publicly in early January. The legal process continues.

Timeline of events

  • 29 December 2025: Car crash near Lagos; Joshua injured, two friends killed (ESPN).
  • Late December 2025: Joshua hospitalized and treated.
  • Early January 2026: Joshua speaks publicly for first time (ESPN).
  • 20 January 2026: Driver appears in court; BBC News Pidgin reports arraignment.
  • 30 January 2026: Joshua pays tribute to friends during press conference.
What to watch

The next court date will be critical. If the driver’s case goes to trial, new evidence about the cause of the crash could emerge.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Crash occurred on 29 December 2025 (ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • Two people died (ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • Anthony Joshua was injured but survived (ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • Driver faced court on 20 January 2026 (ESPN, sports news outlet).
  • Friend Latif and Adeniyi Kayode were killed (ESPN, sports news outlet).

What’s unclear

  • Exact cause of the crash (police investigation ongoing).
  • If alcohol or distraction played a role.
  • Driver’s full name and exact charges (reporting varies).
  • Length of Joshua’s hospital stay.

Quotes from key figures

“We have charged the driver with reckless and dangerous driving causing death, driving without a valid licence, and driving without due care and attention causing bodily harm and damage to property.”

Nigerian police spokesperson, as reported by ESPN, sports news outlet

“I’m still processing what happened. My brothers are gone, but I have to keep moving forward.”

Anthony Joshua, as reported by BBC News Pidgin, Nigerian-focused news service

“The driver is co-operating with investigators. We are waiting for the full police report.”

Defense lawyer for the driver, as reported by ESPN, sports news outlet

The crash has left a permanent scar on Anthony Joshua’s life. For the driver, the legal road ahead is long, and for the families of Latif and Adeniyi Kayode, the loss is irreplaceable. The full truth may only emerge in court, but what is already clear is that a single moment on a Nigerian highway has changed everything for everyone involved.

Additional sources

telegraph.co.uk, youtube.com, youtube.com, yahoo.com, instagram.com, youtube.com

The tragedy deepened when the driver charged after crash was formally charged in connection with the deaths of two close friends.

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Frequently asked questions

How many people died in the Anthony Joshua car crash?

Two people died: Latif and Adeniyi Kayode, close friends of Joshua.

What injuries did Anthony Joshua suffer in the crash?

Joshua sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized for a few days before being released.

Where did the Anthony Joshua car crash happen?

On the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, near Lagos, Nigeria.

Did Anthony Joshua attend the court hearing for his driver?

There is no public record of Joshua attending the 20 January 2026 arraignment.

How did Anthony Joshua’s family react to the crash?

Joshua’s family has not made public statements, but his father, who is Nigerian, was reportedly at his bedside.

Is the driver of Anthony Joshua’s car still in custody?

As of the latest reports, the driver was granted bail of five million naira but remained in detention until he met the conditions.

What was the reaction of the boxing community?

Fellow boxers, fans, and organizations expressed condolences and support for Joshua on social media and in public statements.