Anthony Joshua ‘returns to the UK’ following horror crash that killed two of his close friends in Nigeria – with funeral taking place tomorrow

Anthony Joshua has reportedly returned to the UK and is recovering at home following the car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends.

The funerals of Joshua’s strength coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele will be held at London Central Mosque on Sunday, January 4, following the pair’s deaths in a horrific car crash near Lagos this week.

Accordingly SunThe heavyweight boxer touched down at London Stansted Airport on Friday night and is recovering at his mansion.

It comes after Daily Mail Sport exclusively revealed how AJ cheated death after making a last-minute decision before the Land Rover he was traveling in set off on his tragic road trip.

The 36-year-old World Champion boxer changed the seats of his SUV from front to back before the accident that killed Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, a few hours after arriving in Nigeria for holiday.

Additionally, Joshua’s driver did not have a valid driver’s license before the crash on Nigeria’s deadliest road, which sent the multimillionaire boxer to hospital.

Joshua is seen with his friends Latif Ayodele (center) and Sina Ghami, who died in the accident. Their funerals are planned for Sunday, January 4.

A jaw-dropping statement emerged at the hearing of his 47-year-old driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, at the Sagamu High Court on Friday. Kayode denied all the charges against him, including dangerous driving.

Kayode was wearing a black Muslim robe and pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him by the clerk while his family members attended. He claims his innocence and that the brakes failed.

Kayode, who had been working for Joshua for over three years, was released on bail and taken by police to Sagamu Correctional Center for paperwork to be completed.

The driver’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, told the Daily Mail: ‘My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident, I haven’t had a chance to speak to him fully yet but I know he said the brakes were not working.

‘I also understand that the journey started in Lagos and initially Anthony sat in the front seat but the driver asked him to change seats.’

She did this because Anthony was a big man and couldn’t see the side mirror properly, so she asked him to move and sat behind the driver.

‘From what I understand, Latif was in front and then switched seats with Anthony.’

Bail is set at 5 million Naira (£2,580) but in the Nigerian system this does not have to be cash and valuables are accepted.

The driver who crashed into the car carrying Joshua on Monday was 47-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode. He did not have a valid driver’s license

Kayode was charged with four offences, including dangerous driving causing death, careless and negligent driving, careless and careless driving and driving without a valid licence.

His case was postponed to January 20 this year for trial.

Outside the courtroom, the driver’s wife was too hysterical to speak, but her son told the Daily Mail his father was innocent and it was ‘just an unfortunate accident’.

Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, 19, said: ‘The family is very saddened by what happened and we are saddened by the deaths of two people.

‘My father is not a fast driver, he was obeying the speed limit, then the brakes stopped working, he said he pressed the pedal but nothing happened.

‘He tried to avoid the truck parked on the roadside but crashed into it. He’s been driving Anthony’s car for three years, he’s a good driver.

‘I know Anthony was sitting in the front next to the driver when the journey started in Lagos, but my father asked him to sit in the back because it was blocking his view.

‘She was taking Anthony to see his family in Sagamu and had picked them up from the airport and was only a few minutes away from arriving.

‘It’s not his fault, if the truck hadn’t been parked there illegally this wouldn’t have happened.’