Anthony Joshua narrowly escaped death in a fatal car crash that killed two of his friends due to a last-minute seat swap, the UK’s Daily Mail revealed on Friday.
The former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, 36, swapped seats from the front to the back of his SUV before the smash which killed Sani Ghami and Latif Adeyole just hours after they arrived in Nigeria for a holiday.
His driver, Kayode Adeniyi, 47, appeared in court on Friday, where he denied all charges against him which included dangerous driving.
Adeniyi was wearing a black Muslim kaftan and pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out to him by the clerk as members of his family attended. He claimed he was innocent and that the brakes failed.
Adeniyi, who has worked for Joshua for more than three years, was granted bail and rushed away by police to Sagamu Correctional Centre for paperwork to be completed.
The driver’s 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 did this because Anthony is a big fellow and he (driver) couldn’t see the wing mirror properly so he asked him to move and he sat behind the driver.
The report said Joshua’s friend then changed seats with the boxer. That side of the vehicle was the impact point of the accident.
Outside court, the driver’s wife was too hysterical to speak but his son told the Daily Mail his father was innocent and it was “just an unlucky accident.”
Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, 19, 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.”
Kayode Adeniyiwas arraigned on Friday before Chief Magistrate Jumoke Somefun of Court 1 on a four-count charge bordering on dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid National Driver’s Licence.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly committed an offence contrary to Section 5(1) of the Federal Highway Act, Cap F:135, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as applicable in Ogun State).
He was also charged under Section 6(1) of the same Act for reckless and negligent driving.
The police further alleged that the defendant caused bodily harm and damage to property, contrary to Section 7(1) of the Act, and drove without a valid National Driver’s Licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.
After listening to the charges, Chief Magistrate Somefun granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like sum.
However, Adeniyi was unable to meet the bail conditions and was consequently remanded at the Sagamu Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail terms.
The case was adjourned to January 20, 2026, for trial.
