Fatal Lagos–Ibadan Crash: Anthony Joshua Escaped Death After Seat Swap

Global Mirror News gathered that British-Nigerian former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, narrowly escaped death in a fatal road crash on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway after swapping seats moments before the accident.

The crash, which occurred on Monday along the busy highway, claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s friends — Ayodele Kelvin Olu (36), a Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina (36), a British National.

Several other occupants of the vehicle, including Joshua, sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Global Mirror News reports that Joshua was initially seated in the front passenger seat of a Lexus SUV before the driver, Kayode Adeniyi (46), asked him to move to the back seat.

This revelation was made in court on Friday and later confirmed by the driver’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, in an interview with the Media.

According to Abiodun, the request was made because Joshua’s size obstructed the driver’s visibility of the wing mirror.

Joshua then moved to the rear seat behind the driver, while another passenger, identified as Latif, took the front seat. Not long after the seat swap, the fatal crash occurred.

“My client has pleaded not guilty, and what happened was an accident,” Abiodun said.

“The journey started in Lagos, and Anthony initially sat in the front seat.

The driver asked him to move because he could not see clearly. Anthony then sat behind the driver. The driver maintains that the brakes failed.”

Global Mirror News gathered that the driver allegedly attempted to swerve to avoid a truck parked along the roadside but ended up colliding with it, leading to the deaths and injuries recorded.

Following the incident, Kayode Adeniyi was arrested and arraigned before a magistrate court in Ogun State.

He is facing four charges, including dangerous driving causing death, reckless driving, negligent driving, and driving without a valid driver’s licence, contrary to provisions of the Federal Highway Act.

Appearing in court wearing a black Muslim kaftan, Adeniyi pleaded not guilty to all charges. Members of his family were present during the proceedings.

Global Mirror News reports that the driver has worked for Anthony Joshua for more than three years.

Outside the courtroom, the driver’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, defended his father, insisting the crash was not a result of reckless driving.

“My dad is not a fast driver. He was obeying the speed limit when the brakes failed,” he said. “He tried to avoid the truck parked illegally by the roadside but hit it.

He has been Anthony’s driver for three years and is very careful.”

He added that the group had picked Joshua and others up from the airport and were heading to Sagamu to visit family, noting that they were only minutes away from their destination before the crash occurred.

Confirming the development, the Ogun State Police Command said the driver had been arraigned and remanded in custody.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, told Global Mirror News that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

“The driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the Anthony Joshua accident has been charged to court and remanded pending the perfection of bail,” the Police said.

The court granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with two sureties, and adjourned the case to January 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial.