Anthony Joshua has returned to England following a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two individuals. The renowned British heavyweight boxer arrived at London Stansted Airport on Friday evening and was subsequently transported to his residence to continue his recovery, as reported by The Sun.
The funeral service 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 participate in a ‘janaza prayer service’ to honor the departed friends.
While there is uncertainty regarding Joshua’s attendance at the funeral, concerns have been raised about the potential disruption his presence may cause.
In a twist of fate, Joshua narrowly escaped the fatal accident by switching seats shortly before the journey that resulted in the tragic deaths of his friends. Following the crash on Monday, which led to minor injuries for Joshua, the driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Kayode’s legal representative, Olalekan Abiodun, stated that the incident was an accident and that the driver has pleaded not guilty, attributing the crash to brake failure. The journey had commenced in Lagos, with Joshua initially seated in the front but later swapping places at the driver’s request. It is reported that the vehicle collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
After being discharged from the hospital in Lagos on New Year’s Eve, Kayode was questioned and provided an official statement detailing the events leading up to the collision. The case has been adjourned until January 20 for further legal proceedings.
Joshua paid his respects to Ghami and Ayodele at a funeral home following his release from the hospital, accompanied by his mother. Subsequently, the bodies of the deceased friends were repatriated to the United Kingdom for their final arrangements.