Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, reportedly escaped death in a fatal road crash after swapping seats with another passenger shortly before the accident.
According to a report by The Punch, the crash occurred on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s friends, identified as Ayodele Kelvin Olu, 36, a Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina, 36, a British national.
Others in the vehicle sustained varying degrees of injuries, including the boxer.
Joshua was said to be travelling in a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle when the accident happened.
A lawyer representing the driver, Kayode Adeniyi, told the court that Joshua had initially occupied the front passenger seat but later moved to the back seat at the driver’s request.
The lawyer explained that the seat swap became necessary because Joshua’s size allegedly obstructed the driver’s view of the wing mirror, prompting another passenger to take the front seat.
The driver, 46-year-old Adeniyi, was arraigned before a magistrate court on four counts bordering on dangerous and negligent driving, as well as driving without a valid licence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The defence maintained that the crash was caused by brake failure and not reckless driving.
The driver’s counsel said the vehicle was travelling from Lagos to Sagamu after picking Joshua and others up from the airport, adding that Joshua was heading to visit his family.
Speaking outside the courtroom, the driver’s son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, also defended his father, insisting that he was driving within the speed limit before the brakes allegedly failed. He further claimed that a stationary truck along the road contributed to the accident.
Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Police Command said investigations were ongoing.
The court granted the driver bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties, while he was remanded pending the perfection of bail conditions.
The case was adjourned till January 20, 2026.
Joshua, who sustained minor injuries in the crash, was treated and later discharged from the hospital.
Edited by Olaolu Fawole, Volunteer Editor
