Anthony Joshua’s driver appeared visibly emotional as he arrived and later left court charged over a crash that killed two of the boxer’s friends in Nigeria.
Strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele, both 36, were killed instantly in the devastating collision on December 29, which also left Joshua with minor injuries.
Adeniyi Kayode, 46, is facing four charges, including dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid national licence.
The father-of-three was granted £2,600 bail on Tuesday after a judge adjourned the case.
A video shows shows Kayode wearing a black hoodie, keeping his head down and appearing emotional as he arrived at court in Sagamu, south west Nigeria.
In later footage, he is seen leaving, seeming distressed as he is consoled by a friend.
Prosecutors say Kayode was behind the wheel of a black Lexus SUV when it ploughed into the back of a stationary truck carrying soya beans as he drove Joshua and his friends.
Anthony Joshua’s driver appeared visibly emotional as he arrived and later left court charged over a crash that killed two of the British boxer’s friends in Nigeria
Adeniyi Kayode, 46, is facing four charges, including dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid national licence. Here he is pictured leaving the court hearing
Strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele, both 36, were killed instantly in the devastating collision on December 29, which also left Joshua with minor injuries
Ghami and Ayodele were killed instantly in the crash as the vehicle’s side was sheared off. The boxer, 36, and Kayode himself escaped without incurring serious injuries.
In Joshua’s case, his survival was miraculous as he had swapped seats with Latif at the last minute before the group drove from the capital Lagos to the town of Sagamu, an hour away, where the fighter has family.
In addition, Kayode did not have a valid driver’s licence before the crash on Nigeria’s most deadly road which hospitalised the multi-millionaire boxer.
The jaw-dropping revelation emerged at the hearing for Kayode in Sagamu High Court at the start of the month, at which he denied all charges against him which included dangerous driving.
Kayode pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out to him by the clerk as members of his family attended. He claims he is innocent and the brakes failed.
Kayode, who has worked for Joshua for more than three years, was granted bail and rushed away by police to Sagamu Correctional Centre for paperwork to be completed.
The driver’s lawyer Olalekan Abiodun told the Daily Mail: ‘My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident, I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet but I know he is saying the brakes did not work.
In Joshua’s case, his survival was miraculous as he had swapped seats with Latif at the last minute before the group drove from the capital Lagos to the town of Sagamu, an hour away, where the fighter has family
Joshua pictured with friends Latif Ayodele (centre) and Sina Ghami who both died in the crash
‘I also understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat but the driver asked him to swap seats.’
‘He did this because Anthony is a big fellow and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly so he asked him to move and he sat behind the driver.
‘From what I understand Latif was in front and then changed seats with Anthony.’
Speaking on the incident for the first time, Joshua wrote on Instagram on January 8: ‘Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are.
‘I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.
‘100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.’
Joshua returned to boxing training just 19 days after the crash. He spent New Year in hospital before jetting home, with many doubting whether he will compete again.
Now, though, he is back in the gym, and he shared snaps of him working out and hitting pads in what he branded ‘mental strength therapy’ on his Snapchat last week.
He can be seen hitting some pads in a gym, as well as carrying out a lower leg workout, on an exercise bike and getting in a pool in a compilation of footage.
Other posts included a picture of what appeared to be the elapsed time he had been on a cardio machine with the caption: ‘I am a fighter,’ as well as a photo of Joshua being hit by Wladimir Klitschko during their iconic 2017 heavyweight title fight.
The heavyweight boxer landed at London Stansted Airport on January 2 and has been recuperating at his mansion.
