Anthony Joshua’s driver charged over Nigeria crash that killed two people

Police say Anthony Joshua’s driver has been charged after a crash in Nigeria that injured the boxer and killed two teammates.

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was charged at the Sagamu Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Police sources told the BBC the charges included causing death by dangerous driving.

Joshua’s personal trainer Latif Ayodele and strength coach Sina Gami died after colliding with a stationary truck on a highway in Ogun state near Lagos on Monday.

The former heavyweight champion was taken to hospital with injuries following the incident and was released from the hospital on Wednesday.

Police sources told the BBC that prosecutors had laid four charges against Mr Kayode – dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, careless driving and driving without a valid driving license causing death.

The defendant was granted bail of 5,000,000 naira (£2,578) and remanded in custody pending the satisfaction of bail conditions.

The case has been adjourned to January 20.

Joshua, 36, was riding in a Lexus SUV when he collided with a parked truck on the busy Lagos-Ibadan highway in southwestern Nigeria on Monday.

Mr Gami and Mr Ayodele were both pronounced dead at the scene, while Joshua was pulled from the wreckage.

Ogun and Lagos state officials said in a statement that the British boxer was “heartbroken” by the deaths of the two men, both of whom were close friends of his.

The statement added that after being discharged from hospital, Joshua visited a funeral home where their bodies were “preparing for repatriation”.

Just hours before the accident, Joshua posted a video on Instagram of him playing table tennis with Mr Ayodele.

Eddie Hearn, who has been Joshua’s promoter for more than a decade, paid tribute to the team members on Wednesday.

“RIP Raz and Sina,” Hearn posted on Instagram.

“Your energy and loyalty will be deeply missed along with so many other great qualities. Praying for strength and guidance for all their family, friends and of course AJ during this very difficult time.”

Joshua was born in Waterford and has family roots in Sagamu, a small town in Ogun State close to the crash site.

A family member told the BBC he was on his way to visit relatives for New Year celebrations in the town when the accident happened.

The boxer has been spending some time in Nigeria following his recent bout. Defeated American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul December 19th.

After the accident, Paul posted on