The Lagos State Government has issued a formal warning to Nollywood actress Sarah Martins, cautioning her against cooking and distributing food on public roads, citing violations of environmental and public order regulations.
The directive, delivered by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, underscores the state’s commitment to maintaining safety, sanitation, and order in public spaces.
In a statement posted on his official X handle on Saturday evening, Commissioner Wahab addressed Martins directly, acknowledging the charitable intent behind her actions while firmly reiterating the legal implications.
“My attention has been drawn to your recent activity of cooking and distributing food on the streets of Lagos,” Wahab wrote. “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.”
The commissioner highlighted that cooking or trading on public infrastructure poses significant concerns, including safety risks, sanitation issues, and traffic disruptions. The warning comes as part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to enforce environmental laws and ensure public spaces remain accessible and clean for all residents.
This is not the first time Martins has faced scrutiny for such activities. According to Wahab, the actress was cautioned last year for a similar initiative but was permitted to continue at the time due to the philanthropic nature of her efforts.
“You were previously cautioned about this same issue last year due to the understanding of its philanthropic intention and pleas,” he noted. However, the commissioner emphasized that leniency would not be extended indefinitely, urging Martins to cease such activities to avoid legal consequences. “I would strongly advise that you desist from carrying out street cooking or similar activities in public spaces in Lagos to avoid apprehension and prosecution,” Wahab stated.
In a bid to balance enforcement with compassion, the commissioner offered guidance on how Martins could continue her charitable work without violating regulations.
He advised her to channel her outreach through approved locations and proper channels, ensuring that assistance reaches vulnerable residents in a manner compliant with state laws. “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 an environmental nuisance,” Wahab added.
The warning to Martins reflects the Lagos State Government’s broader push for compliance with environmental and public order regulations. “We expect everyone to be law-abiding in Lagos, just as they would be in any other well-regulated city,” Wahab concluded, signaling that the state will not tolerate activities that compromise public safety or cleanliness, regardless of intent.
The directive has sparked discussions on social media, with some X users praising the government’s focus on maintaining order, while others expressed sympathy for Martins, citing the economic challenges driving such charitable efforts. Neither Martins nor her representatives have issued a public response to the warning at the time of this report.
As Lagos continues to grow as a bustling metropolis, the state government faces the ongoing challenge of balancing humanitarian efforts with the need for regulatory compliance. For now, the spotlight remains on Sarah Martins and whether she will adapt her charitable initiatives to align with the state’s environmental laws.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Lagos State Government has firmly warned Nollywood actress Sarah Martins to immediately stop cooking and distributing food on public roads, walkways, or medians. While her charitable intention is appreciated, such activities violate environmental and public order laws, create safety, sanitation, and traffic hazards, and can now lead to arrest and prosecution.
