British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua narrowly avoided death in a horrific road accident in Ogun State after a fateful decision to change seats just minutes before the crash that claimed two lives.
The Fateful Seat Swap That Saved a Champion
The fatal incident occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025, around 11 am along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun. According to the driver's legal representative, Olalekan Abiodun, Joshua had initially taken the front passenger seat for the journey from Lagos to Sagamu to visit family. However, the driver, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, requested the heavyweight boxer to move to the back because his large frame was obstructing the view of the wing mirror.
This simple request proved to be a life-saving intervention. Joshua swapped seats with Latif Ayodele, a member of his training team, who then occupied the front passenger seat. The group was reportedly only minutes away from their destination when disaster struck.
Brake Failure and a Collision with a Stationary Truck
The lawyer stated that his client, driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has pleaded not guilty, attributing the crash to a sudden and catastrophic brake failure. Kayode, who had been driving for Joshua for three years, was charged in court on Friday, January 2, 2026, with four counts including dangerous driving causing death and driving without a valid licence. He was granted bail set at N5 million.
The driver's 19-year-old son, Adeniyi Ifeoluwa, defended his father, calling it an "unlucky accident." He explained that his father was adhering to the speed limit but the brakes failed completely. In a desperate attempt to avoid a truck parked illegally on the roadside, Kayode swerved but could not prevent a collision with the stationary vehicle.
The Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his team crashed into the truck. The impact resulted in the tragic deaths of Latif Ayodele and another team member, Sina Ghami, who were both in the vehicle. Joshua sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in Lagos. After examination, he was discharged on New Year's Eve, December 31, as he did not require emergency intervention.
Aftermath and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the legal charges, and the case has been adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026, for trial. Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) suggested in its preliminary report that the Lexus was suspected of speeding and lost control while attempting an overtaking maneuver.
This tragic event occurred shortly after Joshua's triumphant return to boxing. On Friday, December 19, 2025, he scored a sixth-round knockout victory over YouTube star Jake Paul in Miami, ending a 15-month absence from the sport. He was in Nigeria on holiday following this win.
Social media footage from the crash scene showed a dazed and pained Joshua being helped from the wreckage. The remains of his two friends have since been flown out of the country by authorities. Joshua himself has yet to make a public statement regarding the accident.
The crash has also drawn attention to the perennial dangers of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. A visiting British journalist, Nick Pisa of the Daily Mail, reported from the scene on January 1, expressing shock at the reckless driving and dangerous pedestrian crossings he witnessed along the highway, highlighting the broader road safety issues in the region.
