Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has dismissed claims that he donated N20 million to actress Sarah Martins.
The controversy erupted when Martins alleged that officials from the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) unit harassed her during a charity outreach in the Ikate area of Lekki.
The actress claimed the officials confiscated food, a cooking gas cylinder, and other items she was using to provide free meals for the less privileged.
Following the incident, Martins took to Instagram on Friday to express her gratitude for what she believed was a generous intervention.
She specifically thanked Seyi and the Noella Foundation— an organization directed by his wife Layla — for a donation of N20 million.
According to the post, the funds were intended to support her charity work be used to acquire a proper cooking space, ensuring future compliance with Lagos state environmental laws and public safety standards.
“My heartfelt appreciations to Mr Seyi Tinubu, @seyitinubu the Noella foundation, friends and associates of S.T for supporting the vision to feed less privileged kids,” she wrote.
“This money #20,000,000 will be judiciously put into acquiring a space where we can scale cooking to feed more people but most importantly in compliance with Lagos State Environmental laws & standards ensuring that public health and safety is never compromised.”
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Seyi, however, dismissed the claims that he was the donor. In a post on his Instagram Story, he clarified that while he was aware of the situation, the donation came from a group of his friends.
He explained that his friends, “moved by compassion,” raised the funds to help Martins secure a proper location for her activities following her “encounter with the law”.
He appreciated their kindness but used the opportunity to draw a clear line, emphasising that he does not support any acts that violate state laws.
“I have been informed that some friends of mine moved by compassion, raised funds to support a young woman who had an encounter with the law over an environmental violation,” he wrote.
“Their intention, I believe, was to help her secure a proper space to run her business, not to undermine the law. I appreciate their kindness and concern.
“That said, I must emphasize that while their hearts were in the right place, I do not support any act that violates the laws of Lagos State.
“Lagos thrives on order, and Nigeria’s strength depends on our collective respect for both our law and order.”
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