A man who drove along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway just 20 minutes before world-renowned British boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a tragic car accident has come forward to share his account, providing both observations and video evidence of the road conditions prior to the incident.
Eyewitness Account: Driving Past the Accident Site
Orowale Kolapo, who is popularly known on Facebook as Oni Foto, revealed that he was traveling the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway shortly before the crash that left Anthony Joshua with minor injuries and resulted in the unfortunate deaths of two of his team members, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Kolapo stated that he wanted to clarify misconceptions about the road’s condition, releasing a video showing the stretch he had driven on, minutes before the accident occurred. He emphasized that the video clearly demonstrates that the road was smooth and free of hazards, contradicting claims that poor infrastructure contributed to the tragedy.
Road Conditions Were Not to Blame
Addressing widespread speculation and reports suggesting that the crash may have been caused by a poorly maintained road, Kolapo dismissed such claims, describing them as misinformation that could mislead the public. He said, “There is a misconception and propaganda going on that it was bad road that caused the mishap. That is untrue.”
He further described the expressway as “one of the smoothest roads in Nigeria as a whole,” noting that from Berger to Iwo Road, the surface is consistent and free of bumps or dangerous spots that could have led to the crash. According to Kolapo, the road presented no visible risk at the time he drove on it.
Accident Likely Caused by Driver Error
While calling the incident “unfortunate,” Kolapo suggested that the cause of the crash may have been human error rather than any defect in the road itself. He stated that a possible miscalculation by the driver could have contributed to the accident, stressing that the physical condition of the road did not play a role.
Kolapo’s perspective aims to provide a clearer picture of the events leading up to the crash and counter narratives suggesting infrastructural negligence as the cause of the tragedy.
Tribute to Deceased Team Members
In addition to clarifying the road conditions, Kolapo extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the late Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. He expressed sympathy for Anthony Joshua, who witnessed the loss of his close associates and had to endure the aftermath of the accident, which has deeply affected fans and Nigerians alike.
Video Evidence: Road Condition Minutes Before Crash
Kolapo’s video, shared on his social media accounts, captures the smoothness of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway just 20 minutes prior to the incident. The clip clearly shows that there were no bumps or obstacles that could have caused a vehicle to lose control, lending credibility to his claims that the road was not a factor in the accident.
He wrote alongside the post:
“Anthony Joshua’s accident was like 20 mins after I drove past the same road and there is a misconception and propaganda going on that it was bad road that caused the mishap. That is untrue. Lagos/Ibadan expressway is one of the smoothest roads in Nigeria as a whole. You will not step into a bump from Berger to Iwo Road. It is just unfortunate and I think it was a driver’s miscalculation. May the souls of the dead rest well.”
Anthony Joshua remains in a Lagos hospital receiving treatment and recovering from minor injuries sustained in the crash, while the nation mourns the loss of his two close associates, who were integral to his boxing team.