Anthony Joshua’s driver ‘to be charged with reckless driving’ after crash | Boxing | Sport

Anthony Joshua’s driver is reportedly set to face charges of ‘reckless driving’ by Nigerian police following the tragic crash that killed two of the boxer’s close friends. The Daily Mail claim that a 47-year-old man is expected to be charged within the next 48 hours.

The chauffeur was released from a Lagos hospital late on New Year’s Eve and was reportedly transported two hours north to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state, where the fatal crash occurred on Monday. It is reported that he was interrogated for several hours and provided an official account of the events leading up to the accident, which resulted in the deaths of two of Joshua’s closest friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele.

Joshua has also been discharged from hospital and joined his mother in paying tribute to Ghami and Ayodele at a funeral home on Wednesday afternoon, before their bodies are returned to the UK.

“The driver was released after treatment for minor injuries and was then taken to the state police headquarters for questioning,” a police source said in the report.

“He is in a stable condition and was able to provide us with his version of events that led up to the crash and we expect a charging decision within the next 48 hours but the bank holiday may delay proceedings.

“It’s possible that the driver could be in court on Friday for reckless driving, but it hinges on how swiftly the process moves.”

Joshua was travelling in a black Lexus Jeep during the incident, which is reported to have collided with a stationary lorry parked on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The driver of the lorry involved in the crash has been declared wanted by police after they fled the scene.

Babatunde Akinbiyi, a spokesperson for Ogun State’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, said: “From the preliminary investigation that was conducted, definitely there was overspeeding on the part of the SUV Anthony Joshua was travelling in. In the course of that, the front tyre on the passenger side burst.

“That led to loss of control before the vehicle now swerved and rammed into the stationary lorry that was parked. There was excessive speed.”

Eddie Hearn, who is chairman of Joshua’s promotional company Matchroom, was among those to pay tribute to Ghami and Ayodele when news of their passing was confirmed. “With the heaviest of hearts,” he shared in a post on Instagram.

“Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”