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 contained in a public statement addressed directly to the actress on Saturday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

Wahab acknowledged the charitable intent behind the actress’s outreach but said cooking or trading on public roads, walkways or medians was prohibited under Lagos environmental and public order regulations, adding that such activities posed safety, sanitation and traffic concerns.

He noted that Martins had been cautioned over the same issue the previous year 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.

Citing a previous incident where the actress was warned over a similar road cooking incident, the commissioner advised the actress to channel her outreach through proper channels and approved locations, warning that failure to comply could lead to 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 stressed the state’s expectation of civic compliance from all residents and visitors.

“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 popular Nollywood actress and comedian known for her social media presence and philanthropy. She had recently been filmed cooking and sharing meals with residents on Lagos streets, an activity that drew wide attention online.

In October 2025, KAI officials apprehended her while she was cooking on a road median in Lekki, seizing her equipment.

Videos of the incident, in which the actress appeared distressed and clutching a hand she said was burned by spilled hot oil during the altercation, circulated widely on social media and drew mixed reactions, with some Nigerians condemning the officials’ conduct while others backed 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 contravention 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 denied making the donation personally, saying some friends, moved by compassion, had raised funds to help her secure a proper space for her charity work, but stressed that he did not support any act that violated Lagos State laws. (The PUNCH)

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