In a development that has sent shockwaves through the international boxing community, Adeniyi Kayode, the personal driver for former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, has been formally charged with aggravated assault in a Nigerian court. The charge stems from a high‑profile traffic collision that occurred on a busy highway outside Lagos last month. While the incident itself left several people injured, the case has taken an even more dramatic turn with the emergence of a mysterious witness who claims Kayode received a threatening phone call just minutes before the crash. The witness’s account has sparked intense speculation that Joshua may have been the target of an alleged assassination attempt, a notion that the authorities are now treating with the utmost seriousness.

 Background: The Incident

On the evening of March 12, 2024, a white SUV collided with a minibus on the Ikorodu‑Lagos expressway. The impact resulted in multiple injuries, including two passengers in the minibus who were rushed to a local hospital. Police reports indicate that the SUV, later identified as the vehicle belonging to Anthony Joshua, was traveling at a high rate of speed when it swerved into oncoming traffic. Witnesses at the scene described a violent impact, with debris scattering across several lanes.

The driver, Adeniyi Kayode, was immediately taken into custody. Initial breathalyzer tests returned negative for alcohol, and preliminary investigations suggested a possible mechanical failure. However, as the inquiry progressed, the focus shifted toward the actions of Kayode in the moments leading up to the crash.

Court Charges: Aggravated Assault

On April 3, 2024, the Lagos State High Court officially filed aggravated assault charges against Adeniyi Kayode. The prosecution argued that the driver’s conduct, which included reckless driving that endangered the lives of other road users, met the legal threshold for the more serious charge of aggravated assault, which carries a potential prison term of up to seven years.

In court documents, the prosecution cited three key points:

The SUV crossed the median and struck the minibus, causing severe injuries.

Kayode failed to yield to oncoming traffic despite clear signage indicating a “stop ahead.”

The driver’s actions were deemed “willful and wanton” rather than accidental, a characterization that the defense has contested.

The case has been adjourned to May 15, 2024, for further hearings. Both the prosecution and the defense have indicated that they will call additional witnesses, including forensic experts and traffic analysts.

The Mysterious Witness: Claim of a Threatening Phone Call

Amid the legal proceedings, a witness who has asked to remain anonymous approached the police with a startling claim. According to a statement given to investigators, the witness observed Adeniyi Kayode standing beside his vehicle just minutes before the collision, speaking on a mobile phone. The witness alleges that Kayode appeared visibly agitated and that the conversation ended abruptly with a tone described as “threatening.”

The witness, who was traveling in a nearby taxi, told detectives: “I heard the driver say, ‘If you don’t stop, you’ll regret it,’ and then the line went dead. Seconds later, the SUV accelerated and crashed into the minibus.” The police have verified that the call was made to a number that is currently unlisted, and telecom authorities are working to trace its origin.

While the authenticity of this claim remains under investigation, the mere existence of a possible threatening phone call has prompted authorities to consider the possibility that the collision was not merely an accident but potentially a deliberate act.

The Question of an Assassination Attempt

The allegation that Kayode received a threatening phone call before the crash has led some commentators to speculate that Anthony Joshua may have been the target of an assassination attempt. The former heavyweight champion, who has been a high‑profile figure in global boxing for the past decade, has previously received threats related to his public persona and business interests.

Senior police officials have stated that they are treating the “assassination angle” as a line of inquiry, though they stress that no concrete evidence has yet linked the driver’s actions to a broader plot. A spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force commented: “We are exploring all possible motives, including the possibility of a premeditated act. At this stage, the investigation is still in its infancy, and we urge the public to refrain from jumping to conclusions.”

The boxing world has responded with a mixture of concern and caution. Promoters and fellow athletes have expressed solidarity with Joshua, while calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.

Reactions from the Boxing World

Anthony Joshua‘s management team released a brief statement on Monday, April 5, acknowledging the incident and the ongoing investigation. “We are deeply concerned about the welfare of all those affected by the accident,” the statement read. “We are cooperating fully with the authorities and ask that the public respect the privacy of everyone involved while the facts are established.”

Prominent figures in the boxing community have also weighed in. Former champion and analyst Lennox Lewis said, “This is a troubling situation. If there is any truth to the suggestion that this was a targeted attack, it would represent a new level of danger for athletes. We need to see the facts before drawing any conclusions.” Meanwhile, the Nigerian Boxing Federation has called for a meeting with Joshua‘s camp to discuss security measures for athletes traveling in the country.

Legal Perspectives

Legal experts in Nigeria suggest that the aggravated assault charge could be upgraded if evidence emerges that the driver acted with intent to cause harm. Criminal law professor Chidi Okafor from the University of Lagos explained: “The distinction between reckless driving and aggravated assault often hinges on the driver’s state of mind. If the prosecution can demonstrate that Kayode acted with malice—or was coerced by a third party—the penalties could be far more severe.”

Defense counsel, Barrister Funke Adeyemi, has maintained her client’s innocence. “Mr. Kayode has no history of violent behavior and has fully cooperated with the police,” she said. “The alleged phone call, while intriguing, does not prove that he intended to harm anyone. We look forward to presenting our evidence in court.”

The Road Ahead: Investigation and Security

As the police continue their investigation, several key steps are underway:

Telecom analysis: Authorities are working to trace the threatening phone call, hoping to identify the caller and determine whether the call was linked to any external individuals or groups.

Forensic inspection: The SUV’s onboard data recorder is being examined for speed, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before impact.

Witness interviews: Detectives are re‑interviewing additional witnesses to corroborate or refute the mysterious witness’s account.

Security review: Anthony Joshua‘s team has announced a comprehensive review of his personal security arrangements, both in Nigeria and abroad.

The outcome of these inquiries will likely determine whether the case remains a straightforward traffic accident or escalates into a broader criminal investigation involving possible conspirators.

 Conclusion

The charging of Adeniyi Kayode with aggravated assault marks a significant development in a case that has captured international attention. The emergence of a witness who claims Kayode received a threatening phone call before the collision has introduced a layer of intrigue that extends beyond the initial traffic incident. While the notion of an assassination attempt targeting Anthony Joshua remains speculative at this point, the authorities are treating the allegation with the seriousness it deserves.

For now, the boxing world and the general public are urged to remain patient as the facts unfold. The upcoming court hearings, combined with ongoing police investigations, will provide a clearer picture of what really happened on that fateful evening. Until then, the story serves as a stark reminder of the complexities that can lurk behind seemingly routine traffic accidents, especially when high‑profile personalities are involved.