Crowds of sympathisers gathered at a mosque in London on Sunday as Nigerian-born heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua attended the funeral of his two close friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who were killed in a tragic car crash along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway late last month. The Janazah, the Islamic funeral prayer for the deceased, drew a large turnout of mourners, including family members, friends, members of the Muslim community and supporters of the boxer, many of whom stood quietly outside the mosque as prayers were observed. The sombre gathering reflected the deep sense of loss surrounding the deaths and the widespread impact of the tragedy, which has resonated both in Nigeria and among diaspora communities in the United Kingdom.
Eyewitness accounts and media reports described a heavy presence at the mosque, with mourners arriving early to pay their respects to the two men, both of whom were said to have travelled to Nigeria to spend the festive period with friends before their lives were cut short. The atmosphere was marked by grief and restraint, with prayers offered for the departed and words of comfort shared among the bereaved. Joshua, visibly subdued, was present throughout the proceedings, offering quiet support to the families as they mourned the loss of their loved ones in circumstances that have shocked many.
Earlier on Sunday, Joshua broke his silence on social media with an emotional tribute to Ghami and Ayodele, marking his first public post since the fatal accident on December 29, 2025. In the post shared on his Instagram page, the two-time heavyweight world champion was pictured seated alongside members of the bereaved family, while another person held a framed photograph of Ghami. Joshua captioned the image simply, “My Brother’s Keeper,” a brief but poignant message that underscored the closeness of the bond he shared with the two men and the depth of his grief.
The deaths of Ghami and Ayodele followed a road traffic accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest highways. The pair were passengers alongside Joshua in a black Lexus SUV that rammed into a stationary truck during the journey. According to initial reports, the impact was severe, and both men died at the scene. Joshua and the driver survived the crash but sustained injuries and were taken to hospital, where they received medical attention before later being discharged.
Joshua’s survival has since drawn significant public attention, particularly following reports that he narrowly escaped death after a last-minute decision to change seats shortly before the vehicle set off on the ill-fated journey. Media reports indicated that the boxer, who is 36, was initially seated in the front passenger seat of the SUV but later moved to the back. Ghami and Ayodele subsequently occupied the front seats and were killed in the collision. The revelation has added a deeply emotional layer to the tragedy, with many describing the outcome as a matter of fate and expressing gratitude that Joshua survived.
Following his discharge from hospital in Nigeria, Joshua travelled back to the United Kingdom, arriving in London via Stansted Airport on Friday night. He was said to have been recuperating at his residence ahead of the funeral, limiting public appearances as he focused on recovery and supporting the families of the deceased. His attendance at the Janazah on Sunday was viewed by many as a significant and personal gesture, reflecting his close relationship with Ghami and Ayodele and his desire to honour them despite his own physical and emotional recovery.
The circumstances surrounding the crash have continued to unfold through legal proceedings in Nigeria. The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 47, was arraigned at the Sagamu High Court on Friday in connection with the incident. During the hearing, Kayode pleaded not guilty to all charges, including dangerous driving. The court granted him bail, and the case was adjourned to a later date, after which he was taken to the Sagamu Correctional Centre for documentation.
Further details emerged during the court proceedings, including claims that the driver did not possess a valid driver’s licence at the time of the crash. Kayode, however, maintained that the accident was caused by brake failure and insisted that it was not a result of reckless behaviour. Members of his family were present in court during the arraignment, while his legal team reiterated his plea of innocence and called for a thorough investigation into the mechanical condition of the vehicle.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, said his client had worked with Joshua for over three years and had consistently carried out his duties without incident. He explained that Joshua had initially been seated in the front of the vehicle but was asked to move because his size obstructed the driver’s view of the wing mirror. According to the lawyer, Joshua then moved to sit behind the driver, while seating arrangements among the other passengers changed shortly before the journey began.