Lagos Govt Warns Actress Sarah Martins Against Street Food Distribution

The Lagos State Government has warned actress and philanthropist, Sarah Martins to stop cooking and distributing food on public streets in the state or risk arrest and prosecution.

The warning was issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement shared on X.

Wahab said while the government acknowledges the charitable intention behind the actress’s actions, cooking and distributing food on public roads, walkways or medians violates the state’s environmental and public order regulations.

According to him, such activities pose safety, sanitation and traffic risks and cannot be permitted on public infrastructure.

“My attention has been drawn to your recent activity of cooking and distributing food on the streets of Lagos,” the commissioner said in the statement.

“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.”

He added that the actress had previously been cautioned about the activity last year but was allowed to continue at the time due to the philanthropic motive behind the initiative.

Wahab, however, advised her to discontinue the street cooking and similar activities in public spaces to avoid possible apprehension and prosecution by authorities in Lagos.

The commissioner said that if Martins intends to continue her charitable outreach, it should be done through proper channels and in approved locations so that assistance to vulnerable residents can be provided without violating existing laws.

“We expect everyone to be law-abiding in Lagos, just as they would be in any other well-regulated city,” Wahab stated.