By Akeem Oduyoye
The Ogun State Police Command has taken into custody the driver of the Lexus SUV that was conveying former world boxing champion Anthony Joshua before it crashed along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving two passengers dead.
Police sources identified the driver as Kayode Adeniyi, aged 47, a long-time member of Joshua’s Nigerian logistics team. The crash happened on Monday morning near Danco, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, when the vehicle reportedly collided with a stationary truck.
Confirming the development, the Ogun State Police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the driver is currently being held while investigations continue.
“The driver of the Lexus SUV in connection with the Anthony Joshua accident case is currently in custody. Investigations are ongoing,” he said.
A family source close to Joshua disclosed that the driver, who is Nigerian, was in critical condition shortly after the accident.
“We learnt he was in a coma shortly after the incident. He is a Nigerian. His logistics are always arranged for him whenever he is in the country,” the source said.
Further findings revealed that Adeniyi had worked with Joshua for several years, handling movements and logistics whenever the boxer visited Nigeria.
The accident occurred around 11am on Monday and involved a Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN. Two occupants of the vehicle died on the spot.
The deceased were later identified as Ayodele Kelvin Olu (36), a Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina (36), a British national.
Meanwhile, the Lagos and Ogun state governments confirmed on Wednesday that Anthony Joshua had been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment.
In a joint statement signed by Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos State Commissioner for Information, it was disclosed that doctors certified Joshua fit to continue recovery from home.
The statement said Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay their last respects to the deceased friends, whose bodies were being prepared for repatriation.
Both state governments expressed condolences to the families of the victims and thanked the public for the outpouring of prayers and concern. They also appreciated President Bola Tinubu and medical staff at Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, for their support and professionalism.