Adeniyi Kayode, 46, appeared before a magistrate’s court in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Tuesday in connection with the December 29 accident that claimed the lives of British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua’s friends and trainers, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

The magistrate, Olajumoke Somefu, adjourned the case until February 25 after the prosecution requested more time to transmit the case file to the Ogun State Attorney-General’s Office through the Department of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

Kayode, who was driving the Lexus 570 SUV that collided with a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, faces four charges, including dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, and driving without a valid national driver’s licence.

Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, said the family does not wish to see Kayode imprisoned.

“Our son, Joshua, is deeply religious and takes everything by faith; he would not want anything to happen to the driver,” Adedamola said.
“I see closeness between them, and he would not like him to go to jail because he has a family, and the children would suffer. The family believes accidents can happen anywhere, so we hope the man will be spared. Let’s move forward.”

Kayode, who had been Joshua’s driver for three years, was earlier granted bail of N5 million with two sureties of the same amount.

The defence counsel, Abiodun Olalekan, opposed the prosecution’s request for adjournment, stating that the defence was ready to proceed with the trial. However, the magistrate approved the prosecution’s application.

The former two-time heavyweight champion and Kayode sustained minor injuries in the crash.