LAGOS WARNS ACTRESS SARAH MARTINS TO STOP COOKING ON PUBLIC ROADS OR FACE PROSECUTION
Read Time:2 Minute, 50 Second
By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Lagos State Government has warned Nollywood actress Sarah Martins to stop cooking and distributing food on the streets of Lagos, cautioning that she risks arrest and prosecution if she continues the activity.
The warning was issued in a public statement addressed to the actress on Saturday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
Wahab acknowledged the charitable motive behind Martins’ outreach but said cooking or trading on public roads, walkways, or medians violates Lagos environmental and public order regulations, noting that such activities raise safety, sanitation, and traffic concerns.
He also stated that the actress had previously been cautioned over the same issue but had resumed the activity.
“While we acknowledge and appreciate the spirit of charity and compassion behind what you are trying to do, carrying out such activities on public roads, walkways or medians is not permitted under Lagos environmental and public order regulations,” Wahab said.
“Cooking or trading on public infrastructure poses safety, sanitation, and traffic concerns. You were previously cautioned about this same issue last year due to the understanding of its philanthropic intention and pleas,” he added.
Referring to the earlier incident where the actress was warned for a similar road cooking activity, the commissioner advised her to channel her charitable efforts through approved locations and proper channels, warning that failure to comply could result in her apprehension.
“You were previously cautioned about this same issue last year due to the understanding of it’s philanthropic intention and pleas. I would strongly advise that you desist from carrying out street cooking or similar activities in public spaces in Lagos in order to avoid apprehension and prosecution,” Wahab said.
“If you wish to continue your charitable outreach, it should be done through proper channels and in approved locations so that your efforts can support vulnerable people without violating existing laws and constituting environmental nuisance,” he added.
He further emphasised the state’s expectation that residents and visitors comply with the law.
“We expect everyone to be law-abiding in Lagos, just as they would be in any other well-regulated city,” he said.
Sarah Martins is a Nollywood actress and comedian known for her active social media presence and philanthropic activities. She was recently seen in videos cooking and distributing food to residents on Lagos streets, which attracted widespread attention online.
In October 2025, officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force apprehended her while she was cooking on a road median in Lekki and confiscated her equipment.
Videos of the incident, showing the actress distressed and clutching a hand she said was burned by spilled hot oil during the encounter, circulated widely on social media, drawing mixed reactions. While some Nigerians criticised the conduct of the officials, others supported the enforcement action.
The Lagos State Government defended the operation, with Wahab stating that the actress had engaged in unauthorised activities on public infrastructure in violation of environmental and sanitation regulations.
The incident also drew in Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, after Martins announced on Instagram that she had received ₦20 million from his office to support her foundation.
Seyi Tinubu later denied making the donation personally, explaining that some friends, moved by compassion, had raised funds to help her secure a proper space for her charity work, while stressing that he does not support actions that violate Lagos State laws.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0