Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, has cautioned Nollywood actress Sarah Martins against preparing and distributing food on public streets in the state.
In a post shared on X, Wahab acknowledged the charitable motivation behind the actress’s actions but said such activities contravene Lagos environmental and public order regulations.
According to the commissioner, cooking or trading on public infrastructure such as roads, walkways, and medians raises safety, sanitation, and traffic concerns.
Wahab noted that Martins had previously received a warning about the issue last year. He advised her to discontinue the practice and instead conduct her charity work through approved locations and official channels.
The commissioner added that failure to comply with the directive could lead to her arrest and possible prosecution, stressing that residents and public figures are expected to obey the state’s regulations.
Previous enforcement action
The warning follows an incident in October 2025 when officials of the Lagos State Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force apprehended Martins while she was cooking and distributing food to residents on a Lagos street.
During the operation, authorities confiscated the equipment used for the activity, drawing significant attention and debate on social media.
State officials defended the enforcement action at the time, maintaining that the activity constituted unauthorised use of public infrastructure and violated environmental sanitation rules.
Public reaction and controversy
The incident triggered mixed reactions online. While some people criticised the authorities’ handling of the situation, others supported the enforcement of the regulations.
The controversy also involved Seyi Tinubu, son of Bola Tinubu, who clarified that he did not personally donate ₦20 million to Martins’ charity foundation. He explained that a group of friends had instead raised funds to help her secure a dedicated space for her outreach activities.
Videos circulating online after the incident showed Martins visibly distressed, holding a hand she said had been burned during the confrontation.
Authorities continue to insist that charitable initiatives must comply with existing environmental and public
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