Anthony Joshua has returned to England following a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two individuals. The British heavyweight boxer arrived at London Stansted Airport on Friday evening and was later transported to his residence for further recovery, according to reports from The Sun.
The funeral for Joshua’s friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, is scheduled to take place at a mosque in London tomorrow. Close relatives and friends have been invited to a ‘janaza prayer service’ in honor of the deceased companions.
Joshua is reportedly undecided on whether he will attend the funeral due to concerns that his presence may cause unwanted attention. The boxer narrowly escaped the fatal crash by switching seats just before the journey commenced, resulting in the tragic loss of his friends while he sustained minor injuries.
The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving. His legal representative stated that the incident was an accident, with Kayode pleading not guilty and claiming brake failure as the cause. It was revealed that Joshua initially occupied the front seat but swapped with another passenger for better visibility, moments before the fatal collision occurred.
Kayode, aged 46, was driving Joshua and his companions in a black Lexus Jeep when the accident occurred on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. After being treated at a hospital in Lagos, he was discharged on New Year’s Eve and taken to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state, for further questioning. The case has been adjourned for trial on January 20.
Following his own hospital discharge, Joshua paid his respects to Ghami and Ayodele at a funeral home before their bodies were repatriated to the United Kingdom. He is now focusing on his recovery at home in Nigeria after the tragic incident.