Fatal crash: Report reveals how Anthony Joshua escaped death after swapping seats

Joshua during the accident

British-Nigerian former World Boxing Champion Anthony Joshua narrowly avoided death in a Monday car crash after he swapped from the front to the back seat of a Lexus SUV, a revelation made Friday by his driver’s lawyer.

The accident, which occurred on a busy Lagos–Ibadan expressway, killed two of Joshua’s friends — Ayodele Kelvin Olu (36), a Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina (36), a British citizen — and injured others, including the boxing champion.

Joshua’s driver, Kayode Adeniyi (46), who has been remanded in custody, faces four charges, including dangerous and negligent driving, and driving without a valid licence.

The driver’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, told the Daily Mail that Joshua initially sat in the front seat but moved to the back at the driver’s request.

“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 couldn’t see the wing mirror properly, so he asked him to move, and he sat behind the driver. From what I understand, Latif was in front and then changed seats with Anthony.”Kayode, wearing a black Muslim kaftan, pleaded not guilty to the charges while members of his family attended the court session. He has worked for Joshua for more than three years. Punch