JUST IN: Govt warns popular Actress against cooking on public roads or face arrest
JUST IN: Govt warns popular Actress against cooking on public roads or face arrest
The Lagos State Government has cautioned Nollywood actress Sarah Martins to immediately stop cooking and distributing food on public streets in the state, warning that continued violation of environmental regulations could lead to her arrest and prosecution.
The warning was issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, following renewed online attention to the actress’s charity initiative in which she prepares meals and shares them with residents on Lagos streets.
In a statement addressed to the actress, Wahab acknowledged the charitable intentions behind the outreach but stressed that preparing or distributing food on roads, walkways, or road medians violates the state’s environmental and public order laws.
“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 raises concerns about safety, sanitation and traffic obstruction.
“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 recalled that the actress had earlier been warned about similar activities but had resumed them despite the caution, urging her to seek approved alternatives for her humanitarian efforts.
“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.
“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.
Wahab also stressed that all residents and visitors are expected to comply with the state’s regulations.
“We expect everyone to be law-abiding in Lagos, just as they would be in any other well-regulated city,” he said.
Martins, a Nollywood actress known for her social media presence and philanthropic gestures, recently attracted widespread online attention after videos surfaced showing her cooking and distributing meals to residents on Lagos streets.
The controversy dates back to October 2025 when officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) apprehended the actress while she was cooking on a road median in Lekki and seized her cooking equipment.
Videos of the incident circulated widely online, showing the actress visibly distressed and holding a hand she said was burned by spilled hot oil during the encounter.
The footage sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians criticising the enforcement action while others supported the authorities’ stance on public order.
The state government later defended the operation, insisting that Martins had carried out unauthorised activities on public infrastructure in violation of sanitation and environmental regulations.
The episode also drew attention from Seyi Tinubu after the actress announced on Instagram that she had received ₦20 million from his office to support her charity foundation.
Seyi Tinubu, however, clarified that he did not personally make the donation, explaining that some friends, moved by compassion, had raised funds to help her secure a proper venue for her outreach, while stressing that he did not support any activity that contravenes Lagos State laws.
