The trial of Adeniyi Kayode, the 46-year-old driver involved in the fatal accident that claimed the lives of Nigerian-born boxing star Anthony Joshua’s close friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, has been adjourned by a Sagamu Magistrate Court in Ogun State.
The case, which was scheduled for hearing, was postponed after the prosecuting counsel, Richard Nigiwe, informed the court that only three of the four listed witnesses were present.
“We have four witnesses for this matter, but only three are in attendance today,” Nigiwe told the court.
He explained that the adjournment was necessary to allow the prosecution duplicate the case file and forward it to the Ogun State Attorney General’s office through the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.
“The duplication of the case file is required so it can be submitted to the Attorney General for proper guidance,” he added.
However, defence counsel Olalekan Abiodun objected to the request, arguing that the prosecution had sufficient time to complete the process before the court date.
“The prosecution had enough time to do this prior to today,” Abiodun said.
Despite the objection, the magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution, stressing that the adjournment was in the interest of justice.
“In the interest of justice, the case is hereby adjourned. The prosecuting counsel is directed to duplicate the file and submit it to the Attorney General’s office,” the magistrate ruled.
After the court session, Abiodun said he agreed with the court’s decision, while the prosecuting counsel declined to comment on the development.
The case arose from a crash that occurred late last year along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, when the Lexus SUV driven by Kayode reportedly rammed into a stationary truck.
The accident claimed the lives of Ayodele and Ghami, while Anthony Joshua and Kayode sustained minor injuries.
Kayode is facing four charges, including dangerous driving, negligent driving, and driving without a valid licence. He was initially remanded in custody before being granted bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the driver remains in custody pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
Earlier this month, funeral prayers for Ayodele and Ghami were held at the London Central Mosque. Before the repatriation of their remains, Joshua and his mother also visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay their last respects.
The court adjourned the matter to allow the prosecution complete the required legal procedures, with a new hearing date to be announced.
