Fresh details have emerged on how British-Nigerian boxing icon and former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, narrowly survived a fatal road accident that claimed the lives of two of his close associates.
The crash, which occurred on Monday along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, involved a Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and members of his entourage. Two passengers, Ayodele Kelvin Olu, a 36-year-old Nigerian-British national, and Gami Sina, a 36-year-old British citizen, lost their lives, while several others, including Joshua, sustained injuries.
According to information revealed in court on Friday, Joshua’s survival has been linked to a last-minute decision to change seats inside the vehicle. His driver’s lawyer disclosed that the boxing star was initially seated in the front passenger seat before being asked to move to the back seat shortly after the journey began.
Joshua’s driver, 46-year-old Kayode Adeniyi, has since been taken into custody and arraigned on four counts bordering on dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Adeniyi’s counsel, Olalekan Abiodun, maintained that the incident was a tragic accident. He said his client had pleaded not guilty and claimed the vehicle suffered brake failure.
“The journey began in Lagos, and Anthony first sat in the front seat,” the lawyer explained. “However, the driver asked him to move because his size affected visibility of the wing mirror. He then sat behind the driver, while another passenger took the front seat.”
During the court session, Adeniyi appeared in a black Muslim kaftan and was supported by members of his family. He has reportedly been Joshua’s personal driver for more than three years.
Outside the courtroom, Adeniyi’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa, also spoke in his father’s defence, insisting the crash was unavoidable.
“My father is not a reckless driver. He was driving within the speed limit when the brakes failed. He tried to avoid a truck parked by the roadside but ended up hitting it,” he said.
He added that the group was travelling from Lagos to Sagamu to visit Joshua’s family after picking them up from the airport and were only minutes away from their destination when the tragedy occurred.
Confirming the development, the Ogun State Police Command said Adeniyi was formally charged under the Federal Highway Act. Police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, noted that investigations into the incident were still ongoing.
“The driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the Anthony Joshua accident is currently in custody,” he said.
The court granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties and adjourned the case until January 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, authorities in Lagos and Ogun states have confirmed that Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital after receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the accident.
