The Lagos State Government has warned Nollywood actress Sarah Martins to desist from cooking and distributing food on public roads in the state, cautioning that she risks arrest and prosecution if she continues the activity.
The warning was issued on Saturday (today) by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a public statement addressed directly to the actress.
Wahab acknowledged the charitable intent behind the actress’s outreach to vulnerable residents but stressed that cooking or trading on public infrastructure such as roads, walkways and medians violates the state’s environmental and public order regulations.
In the statement, the commissioner said the government recognised the philanthropic motive behind Martins’ actions but insisted that such activities could not be carried out in public spaces.
“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.
He explained that the practice could create safety hazards and environmental concerns.
“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.
The commissioner noted that the actress had previously been cautioned over a similar incident but had resumed the activity.
He therefore urged Martins to discontinue the practice and instead channel her humanitarian efforts through approved platforms and locations.
“You were previously cautioned about this same issue last year due to the understanding of its 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.
He added, “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.”
Wahab further emphasised that the state expected residents and visitors to comply with its laws and regulations.
“We expect everyone to be law-abiding in Lagos, just as they would be in any other well-regulated city,” he said.
Naija News reports that Martins, a Nollywood actress and comedian known for her strong social media presence and philanthropic activities, recently attracted public attention after videos showed her cooking and distributing food to residents on the streets of Lagos.
The warning from the government comes months after an incident in October 2025 when officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline task force apprehended the actress while she was cooking on a road median in the Lekki area of Lagos.
During the enforcement operation, officials seized her cooking equipment.
Videos of the encounter circulated widely on social media, showing the actress appearing distressed while clutching a hand she said had been burned by spilt hot oil during the altercation.
The footage triggered mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians criticising the conduct of the officials, while others supported the enforcement of the state’s environmental regulations.
The controversy also drew attention from Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, after Martins announced on Instagram that she had received ₦20 million from his office to support her charity foundation.
However, Seyi Tinubu later clarified that he did not personally make the donation.
According to him, the funds were raised by some friends who were moved by Martins’ humanitarian work and wanted to support her in securing a proper space for her outreach activities.
He nevertheless stressed that he did not support any act that violated Lagos State laws.
Naija News reports that the state government had earlier defended the enforcement action against the actress, insisting that her activities on public infrastructure were unauthorised and contravened environmental and sanitation regulations.
