Sarah Martins Clash With Lagos KAI Sparks Debate Over Charity and Law

Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has become the focus of public attention after a confrontation with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) during a charity event in Lekki Phase 1.

What began as an act of kindness quickly turned into a heated scene — leaving her injured, emotional, and sparking a nationwide debate about the line between compassion and compliance.

What Happened

On October 16, 2025, Sarah Martins, founder of the Golden Heart Foundation, was reportedly stopped by KAI officers while cooking free food for the poor along a road median in Lekki.

Videos that surfaced online showed the actress visibly upset, holding her hand, which appeared swollen after she said hot oil spilled during the confrontation.

Shortly after, she took to Instagram to share her experience. Her emotional post read:

“My heart aches. Today as I was cooking free food for the vulnerable and homeless people on the street of Lagos like I always do, some uniform men came there, harassed me, bullied me, and took away the food I was cooking, took away my cooking gas and everything I was making free food with. My only offense was serving love on a plate through my healthy meals. I am not a chef, and I do not cook to sell. My heart aches.”

Her post quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from Nigerians online.

Lagos Government Responds

The Lagos State Government confirmed that the enforcement officers intervened because Martins’ activity violated the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law.

The law prohibits cooking, trading, or similar activities on public roads and medians.

Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, explained in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the enforcement was part of the state’s #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns.

“Our enforcement actions, including the arrest and removal of equipment in this case, are part of the #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns aimed at preserving the city’s aesthetic and functional integrity,” Wahab said.

He added that while the government appreciates acts of kindness, all charitable efforts must follow safety and environmental guidelines.

“Such initiatives should be done in compliance with state laws to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and urban order,” Wahab stated.

He encouraged Lagos residents to work with relevant agencies before carrying out community outreach projects.

Public Reactions and Concerns Over Force

The videos of the confrontation caused public outrage. Many Nigerians accused KAI officials of using excessive force during the enforcement.

If those claims are true, their actions could violate Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every citizen’s Right to Dignity of the Human Person and forbids degrading treatment.

Balancing Kindness and Compliance

Sarah Martins’ intention — to feed the poor — was clearly humanitarian. But cooking on a busy roadside goes against environmental and safety laws.

Such activity poses risks: gas leaks, oil spills, and crowding around moving traffic can all cause harm.

The incident highlights the importance of doing charity the right way — with proper planning, government approval, and a safe location.

The Bottom Line

Sarah Martins’ encounter with KAI shows how good intentions can clash with public order.

Charity is beautiful, but safety and structure matter. Lagos authorities must enforce laws humanely, while citizens should ensure their kindness aligns with state rules.

Helping people is noble — but doing it safely and legally ensures that compassion doesn’t come at a cost.