The incident occurred on the notorious Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria's busiest and most dangerous roads, particularly during the festive season when traffic surges with returning diaspora visitors. Joshua, 36, was a rear-seat passenger in a black Lexus SUV driven by Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, a longstanding member of his local logistics team. Preliminary investigations by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Ogun State authorities indicate the vehicle was travelling at excessive speed when a front passenger-side tyre burst during an overtaking manoeuvre. The SUV lost control and slammed into a stationary truck illegally parked on the hard shoulder, carrying soya beans.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage from the scene showed a severely damaged vehicle, with the nearside torn away by the force of the impact. Ayodele and Ghami were pronounced dead at the scene, while Joshua and Kayode suffered minor injuries. Joshua appeared dazed and in pain as he was helped from the wreckage by his security team and emergency responders before being rushed to Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos, for observation. He was discharged on New Year's Eve, deemed clinically fit to recuperate at home, though described as "heavy-hearted and full of emotions."
On January 2, 2026, Kayode was arraigned at Sagamu Magistrate Court on four counts: causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention (causing bodily harm and property damage), and driving without a valid licence. He was granted bail of 5 million naira (£2,580) but remained in custody pending fulfilment of conditions. The case was adjourned until January 20 for trial. Police confirmed a thorough investigation is ongoing, highlighting excessive speed and wrongful overtaking as key factors.
Joshua, born in Watford to Nigerian parents and with roots in nearby Sagamu, had travelled to Nigeria shortly after his triumphant return to the ring—a sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, ending a 15-month hiatus. He was en route to visit relatives for New Year celebrations when tragedy struck. Just hours earlier, social media posts showed him playfully competing in table tennis with Ayodele, underscoring the closeness of the group.
Tributes poured in from the boxing community and beyond. Promoter Eddie Hearn described the victims as "integral members" of Joshua's team and "close friends." Nigerian President Bola Tinubu spoke personally with Joshua to offer condolences and wish him a speedy recovery. Even opponent Jake Paul posted: "Life is much more important than boxing. Praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted."
Joshua and his mother visited a Lagos funeral home on December 31 to pay final respects as preparations began for repatriating the bodies to the UK. The accident has reignited concerns over road safety in Nigeria, where over 5,400 deaths were recorded in nearly 10,000 crashes in 2024 alone.
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