Lagos Warns Actress Sarah Martins Over Street Cooking For Charity
By Adeyemi Obadimu
The Lagos State Government has issued a fresh warning to Nollywood actress Sarah Martins over her continued use of public spaces for cooking and distributing food under the guise of charity.
The caution, delivered by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, follows recent reports that the actress resumed roadside food preparation and distribution in parts of Lagos, despite an earlier warning issued to her last year for the same offence.
While acknowledging the spirit of generosity behind her outreach to vulnerable residents, the government made it clear that philanthropic intentions do not exempt anyone from complying with environmental and public order regulations.
According to the Commissioner, cooking and trading on public roads, medians, and walkways contravene existing Lagos laws designed to protect public health, sanitation, and traffic flow. Such activities, he noted, can obstruct movement, create environmental hazards, and pose safety risks to both participants and passersby.
Wahab stressed that the actress had previously been cautioned in 2025, with authorities showing understanding due to the charitable motive. However, the recurrence of the act has prompted a firmer stance from the state government.
He advised that anyone seeking to carry out humanitarian initiatives should do so through approved channels and designated locations, in collaboration with relevant authorities, to ensure their efforts do not constitute environmental nuisance or violate public infrastructure laws.
The Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to maintaining order and cleanliness across the metropolis, emphasizing that all residents regardless of status are expected to operate within the ambit of the law.
Authorities warned that failure to comply may lead to apprehension and prosecution, even where the activity is presented as an act of charity.
