British-Nigerian heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua narrowly escaped death in a tragic road accident in Nigeria, thanks to a last-minute decision to change his seat in the vehicle.
The Tragic Accident and Fateful Decision
The fatal crash occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025, claiming the lives of two of Joshua's close friends and associates. The boxer, who was on holiday in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, sustained only minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. The driver of the Lexus SUV, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged by the Ogun State Police Command with causing death by dangerous driving.
In a twist of fate revealed by the driver's lawyer, Joshua initially sat in the front passenger seat before the journey began. The driver, Olalekan Abiodun, reportedly asked the boxer to move to the back seat because his large frame obstructed the view of the wing mirror. Joshua complied and swapped seats with another passenger, later identified as Latif. This simple act of moving to the seat behind the driver ultimately saved his life.
Legal Proceedings and Police Charges
On Friday, January 2, 2026, the Ogun State Police officially confirmed that Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode had been arraigned at the Sagamu Magistrate Court. The case was adjourned until January 20, 2026. In a statement posted on the police force's official X account, they detailed the four charges brought against the driver:
- Causing death by dangerous driving
- Reckless and negligent driving
- Driving without due care
- Driving without a valid driver's licence
The driver's legal representative, Olalekan Abiodun, stated that his client has entered a plea of not guilty. "I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet but I know he is saying the brakes did not work," Abiodun told the Daily Mail, describing the incident as an accident.
Mourning Lost Friends and Recovery
The two men who lost their lives in the crash were long-term friends of Anthony Joshua. One, known as Ghami, served as his strength and conditioning coach, while the other, Ayodele, was a trainer. Their deaths represent a profound personal and professional loss for the boxer.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who has worked with the 36-year-old Joshua since he turned professional after winning Olympic gold in 2012, posted a heartfelt tribute online. He honoured the men for their "energy and loyalty" to the champion.
Anthony Joshua was discharged from the hospital on New Year's Eve, December 31. A joint statement from Lagos and Ogun states, shared by Lagos Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso on X, confirmed Joshua was "deemed clinically fit to recuperate from home." The statement also noted that Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay their final respects before his friends' bodies were repatriated.
As of now, Anthony Joshua himself has not made any public comments regarding the devastating accident that took the lives of his two companions but spared his own through a seemingly random change of seating.
