Sarah Martins Clarifies Roadside Cooking Incident, Apologises to Lagos Govt

Sarah Martins Clarifies Roadside Cooking Incident, Apologises to Lagos Govt

Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has responded to the Lagos State Government’s warning over her recent public cooking activity, explaining that the moment was a charitable and emotional reunion with vulnerable children rather than an attempt to violate environmental laws.

The clarification came after the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, cautioned the actress against cooking on public roads. Wahab warned that such activities violate Lagos environmental and sanitation laws and could lead to arrest and prosecution if repeated.

Reacting in an open letter posted on her Instagram page, Sarah Martins said the viral incident had been misunderstood. According to her, the cooking activity did not take place on the roadway but within a controlled environment close to a palace, under the supervision of security personnel.

“I would like to respectfully clarify that I did not cook on the walkway or on the main street. The meal was prepared in front of the King’s Palace under the supervision of security personnel and far from the main road, ensuring that it did not obstruct movement or create any public nuisance,” she wrote.

The actress explained that the visit was driven by her long-standing relationship with vulnerable street children in the area through her charity initiative, the Sarah Martins Golden Heart Foundation.

According to Martins, the children often ask her to return and cook meals with them whenever she passes through the area, which prompted the recent visit.

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“The visit was simply born out of an emotional moment. I had deeply missed the bond I share with the vulnerable street children in that area,” she said.

“As I occasionally drive past that axis, the children often plead with me to come back and cook with them like I used to. On this particular day, I decided to spend some time with them and prepare a meal purely to reconnect and create memories with the kids who have always shown me genuine love.”

Despite defending her intentions, Martins apologised to the Lagos State Government for any perceived violation of environmental standards.

“My brief return to that location was never intended to create any form of public nuisance but simply to share a heartfelt moment with children who have continued to ask for my presence,” she said.

“However, if my actions were perceived as inappropriate in any way, I sincerely apologise. I hold the laws and environmental standards of Lagos State in the highest regard.”

She also assured authorities that future cooking activities for the foundation would take place strictly in a designated charity kitchen.

Martins expressed gratitude to Seyi Tinubu, noting that support linked to him had helped her foundation secure a charity kitchen to organise its feeding programmes more effectively.

The actress previously said she received ₦20 million to support her charity work, though Tinubu later clarified that the funds were not a personal donation but contributions raised by friends to help Martins secure a proper space for her humanitarian activities.

The latest controversy comes months after Martins reportedly had a run-in with the Kick Against Indiscipline officials. In October 2025, she was reportedly arrested while cooking on a road median in the Lekki area of Lagos, during which her cooking equipment was seized.

At the time, the Lagos State Government defended the enforcement action, stating that cooking on public infrastructure violated sanitation regulations aimed at maintaining order, public safety and environmental cleanliness across the city.

The recent incident has reignited discussions on social media about balancing charity work, urban sanitation laws, and the responsibilities of public figures when engaging in humanitarian activities in public spaces.

While many Nigerians praised Martins for supporting vulnerable children, others argued that charitable initiatives must still comply with state environmental regulations.

For now, Martins says her foundation will continue supporting underprivileged children while ensuring that all outreach activities are carried out in legally approved spaces.

 

Sarah Martins Clarifies Roadside Cooking Incident, Apologises to Lagos Govt