Sports
Driver’s Son Reveals ‘Real Cause’
The 19-year-old son of Adeniyi Kayode, Anthony Joshua’s driver, has publicly spoken out in defence of his father, rejecting claims he drove recklessly prior to the crash that left the two-time world champion injured and killed two of his close friends in Nigeria on Monday.
Kayode was behind the wheel of a black Lexus SUV when it collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria, and while Joshua survived with only minor injuries, the crash tragically killed Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Latif’ Ayodele, both longtime friends of AJ and key members of the boxer’s team.
On Friday, 46-year-old Kayode was charged on four counts at the Sagamu Magistrate Court in Ogun State — dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid national driver’s license — with the defendant granted bail of 5m Naira (£2,578) and the case adjourned until the 20th of January for trial.
Joshua was taken to hospital after being rescued from the wreckage, but did not require any ’emergency interventions,’ and was discharged from Lagos’ Duchess International Hospital on Wednesday.
What the Driver’s Son Has Said About Car Accident
Speaking on Friday, Kayode’s son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, insisted that the accident was caused by a mechanical failure and an illegally parked vehicle, claiming that his father was driving within the approved speed limit when the Lexus SUV suddenly lost braking power.
Adeniyi said: “Dad is not a fast driver; he was following the speed limit when the brakes failed. He said he was pushing the pedal, but nothing was happening.”
The driver’s son also maintained that the truck with which the Lexus SUV collided was not properly parked and had no visibile warning signs to alert oncoming vehicles, arguing that his father tried to swerve to avoid the truck but could not prevent a crash.
“He’s been driving for Anthony for three years; he’s a good driver,” Ifeoluwa said. “It’s not his fault, if the truck wasn’t parked there illegally, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Late Decision Saved Anthony Joshua’s Life
As more details of the crash continue to emerge, Adeniyi also revealed that Joshua miraculously survived the crash because of a last-minute twist of fate that saw him swap from the front seat to the back moments prior to the accident.
Adeniyi said: “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.”
Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, backed this story up to the Daily Mail, adding: “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.”
Following AJ’s release from hospital on Wednesday, the Daily Mail have also reported that the Olympic gold medallist landed back in the UK on Friday night and is recovering at home, as the funerals for strength coach Ghami and personal trainer Ayodele will take place on Sunday, the 4th of January, at London Central Mosque.
