It has emerged that a split-second decision by Anthony Joshua’s driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, may have prevented the boxing champion from being fatally injured in a recent car accident that claimed the lives of two of his friends.

The incident occurred while Joshua, 36, was being driven from Lagos to Sagamu, Ogun State. According to Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, the driver had asked Joshua to swap seats from the front to the back of the SUV to improve visibility of the side mirror due to the boxer’s large frame.

“Initially, Anthony was in the front seat, but my client asked him to move behind because he couldn’t see properly,” Abiodun explained during a hearing at Sagamu High Court, where Kayode pleaded not guilty to charges related to the crash.

Tragically, the accident resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. However, lawyers and family members say that Kayode’s quick thinking likely spared Joshua from more serious harm.

Kayode’s bail was set at ₦5 million, with his trial adjourned to January 20, 2026. Outside the court, his son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, 19, defended his father, saying the crash was an unfortunate accident.

“He is a careful driver and has been driving Anthony for three years. The brakes failed, and despite trying to avoid an illegally parked truck, the accident happened. It’s not his fault,” Ifeoluwa said.

Kayode had been transporting Joshua to visit his family and had picked them up from the airport, just minutes away from their destination when the crash occurred.