Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom following a tragic road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close associates.
According to British tabloid The Sun, the boxer arrived at London’s Stansted Airport aboard a private jet on Friday evening.
Joshua’s departure came after Nigerian police charged the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, with dangerous driving causing death. Kayode is expected to appear in court on January 20.
The accident occurred on Monday along the busy Lagos–Ibadan expressway in southwest Nigeria. Kayode was driving a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua, his personal trainer Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami when the vehicle crashed into a stationary truck. Police and officials from Ogun State confirmed that Ayodele and Ghami died at the scene, while Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries.
Joshua was taken to hospital after the incident and was discharged on Wednesday.
British media reports identified Ghami as Joshua’s long-serving strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele served as his personal trainer. The 36-year-old boxer reportedly returned to Britain ahead of their funerals.
Joshua, a 2012 Olympic gold medallist with family roots in Nigeria, had been on holiday in the country following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.
