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Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has defended herself after the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, warned her against cooking on public roads in the state.
Wahab issued the warning while reacting to a video shared by the actress in which she was seen preparing food and distributing it to destitute people in Lagos.
In a statement posted on X, the commissioner acknowledged the charitable intention behind the act but stressed that cooking or trading on public roads, walkways, or medians violates Lagos environmental and public order regulations.
According to Wahab, such activities pose safety, sanitation, and traffic concerns.
He further revealed that Martins had previously been cautioned about a similar incident last year, adding that she risks arrest and prosecution if she continues to carry out such activities in public spaces.
“I hope you are well. My attention has been drawn to your recent activity of cooking and distributing food on the streets of Lagos,” Wahab wrote.
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“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.
“Cooking or trading on public infrastructure poses safety, sanitation and traffic concerns.”
He advised the actress to channel her charitable outreach through approved locations and proper channels to avoid violating existing laws.
Responding to the criticism in a post on X on Saturday, Martins denied cooking on the road. The actress clarified that the food was prepared in front of a king’s palace in Ajah, Lagos, and not on a public roadway.
She also rejected claims that her activity constituted an environmental nuisance, insisting that her intention was purely philanthropic.
”Note: I did not cook in front of the road, I cooked in front of King’s Palace, Ajah, with security supervision. I was never on the road and there was nothing related to public nuisance like you tagged it. Peace and love always.” she wrote.
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