ANTHONY JOSHUA ESCAPES DEATH IN LAGOS–IBADAN CRASH AS DRIVER ARRAIGNED OVER FATAL ACCIDENT
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
British-Nigerian former world boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, narrowly escaped death in a fatal road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway after switching from the front seat to the back seat of a Lexus SUV moments before the crash.
The revelation was made on Friday by the lawyer to Joshua’s driver, Kayode Adeniyi, who is currently facing prosecution over the incident that claimed the lives of two passengers.
The crash, which occurred on Monday along the busy highway, resulted in the death of two of Joshua’s friends Ayodele Kelvin Olu, 36, a Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina, 36, a British national. Several others, including Joshua, sustained injuries in the accident.
Adeniyi, 46, who has been remanded in custody, was arraigned on four counts bordering on dangerous and negligent driving, reckless driving and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the driver’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, said Joshua was initially seated in the front passenger seat before being asked to move to the back due to his size obstructing the driver’s view of the wing mirror.
“My client pleaded not guilty to all the charges. From what I understand, Anthony Joshua was first seated in front, but the driver asked him to move to the back seat because he could not see properly,” Abiodun said, adding that the driver claimed the vehicle’s brakes failed.
According to the lawyer, another passenger later swapped seats with Joshua, shortly before the accident occurred.
Adeniyi, who has reportedly worked as Joshua’s driver for over three years, pleaded not guilty in court. Members of his family were present during the proceedings.
Outside the court, Adeniyi’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa, defended his father, insisting the incident was a tragic accident caused by brake failure and an illegally parked truck along the road.
“He was not speeding. The brakes failed, and he tried to avoid a truck parked by the roadside but crashed into it,” he said.
Confirming the development, the Ogun State Police Command said Adeniyi had been charged with dangerous driving causing death, reckless driving, negligent driving and driving without a valid licence, contrary to provisions of the Federal Highway Act.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the driver was remanded in custody, with bail set at N5 million and two sureties, while the case was adjourned to January 20, 2026, for trial.
Meanwhile, the Lagos and Ogun state governments announced on Wednesday that Anthony Joshua has been discharged from the hospital following medical treatment for injuries sustained in the crash.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
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