Anthony Joshua’s family has raised questions over whether prosecuting the driver involved in the crash that injured the boxer is “worth it,” despite public calls for the case to proceed.
Speaking with AFP at the boxer’s family home, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, said the family feels fortunate that the incident did not result in a fatality.
“We are very lucky that our son didn’t die. But taking this man to court is something we don’t see any reason for,” Joshua’s uncle said.
He added that, in his personal view, continuing with the trial may not be necessary. “This is my own personal opinion that the trial is not really worth it. Because we think accidents can happen anywhere in the world.”
However, Adedamola Joshua acknowledged that public sentiment in the community appears to differ from the family’s position. According to him, “we sense the opinion of the people of the town” is that “this man must be prosecuted. That he was over speeding”.
Meanwhile, the Magistrate Court in Sagamu, Ogun State, has adjourned the trial of Adeniyi Kayode, the driver of the Lexus sport utility vehicle (SUV) involved in the crash, to February 25, 2026.
Kayode appeared before the court on Tuesday, January 20, for the continuation of his trial. Dressed in black trousers and a hoodie, he appeared visibly downcast and attempted to avoid journalists’ cameras outside the courtroom in Sagamu, in Nigeria’s southwest.
At the resumption of proceedings, Richard Nigiwe, the prosecuting counsel, informed the court that three of the four prosecution witnesses were present. The witnesses included officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO).
Counsel to the defendant, Abiodun Olalekan, requested that the case be adjourned to March to allow the defence duplicate the case file and submit it to the state attorney-general through the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.
However, Olalekan Abiodun, the defence counsel, opposed the request, arguing that since three witnesses were already present in court, the trial should commence.
Ruling on the matter, Magistrate Somefun ordered that the case be adjourned to February 25 to enable the prosecution seek legal advice. The magistrate further directed that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the Ogun State Attorney-General.