A last-minute change inside the vehicle reportedly spared Anthony Joshua from d3ath moments before a car crash that claimed the lives of two of his friends
According to the UK’s Daily Mail, the former world heavyweight boxing champion narrowly escaped the fatal impact after swapping seats shortly before the accident.
Joshua, 36, had initially been seated in the front of his SUV but later moved to the back. The crash killed Sani Ghami and Latif Adeyole, who had arrived in Nigeria only hours earlier for a holiday.
Joshua’s driver, Kayode Adeniyi, 47, appeared in court on Friday and denied all charges, including dangerous driving. Dressed in a black Muslim kaftan, Adeniyi pleaded not guilty as the charges were read, maintaining that he was not responsible for the crash and blaming brake failure.
Adeniyi, who has driven for Joshua for over three years, was granted bail and escorted by police to Sagamu Correctional Centre to complete bail documentation.
His lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, told the Daily Mail, “My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident, I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet, but I know he is saying the brakes did not work.
“I also understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat but the driver asked him to swap seats.”
He explained that the request was made because Joshua’s size obstructed the driver’s view of the wing mirror, prompting him to ask the boxer to move to the back seat.
The report added that one of Joshua’s friends later exchanged seats with him. That position was said to be the point of impact during the crash.
Outside the courtroom, Adeniyi’s wife was reportedly too distressed to speak, but his son insisted the incident was a tragic accident. His 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, said, “The family is very upset by what’s happened and we are sorry for the deaths of the two people.
“Dad is not a fast driver, he was following the speed limit and then the brakes failed, he said he was pushing the pedal, but nothing was happening.
“He tries to swerve and avoid the truck parked by the side of the road but hit it. He’s been driving for Anthony for three years, he’s a good driver.
“I know that when the journey started in Lagos, Anthony was sitting in the front by the driver but my dad asked him to sit behind because he was blocking his view.
“He was taking Anthony to see his family in Sagamu and had picked them up from the airport and they were only a few minutes from arriving.
“It’s not his fault, if the truck hadn’t parked there illegally, this wouldn’t have happened.”
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