A video showing the moment the managing director (MD) of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Jennifer Adighije presented N20 million to actress Sarah Martins on behalf of Seyi Tinubu has surfaced on social media.
The controversy started after Martins had via Instagram last week, thanked Seyi and the Noella Foundation, an organization directed by his wife Layla for a donation of N20 million.
“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.”
The actress had previously accused operatives of the Kick Against Indiscipline and the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps of disrupting her charity event.
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.
The Lagos government, however, defended the officials’ action, saying Martins violated environmental and safety regulations by engaging in unauthorised street cooking on a public road median.
However, Seyi, in reaction, in a social media post, dismissed the claim, clarifying that while he was aware of the situation, the donation itself 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 after her “encounter with the law”.
He appreciated their kindness but emphasised that he does not support any acts that violate state laws.
But a viral clip has shown Adighije, who assumed the role of NDPHC MD in August 2024, presenting Martins with US dollars amounting to N20 million.
“Seyi asked me to give this to you. He is out of the country… when he comes back he said I should let you know he will see you and expect you to be able to get a shop with this,” the government official is heard saying in the clip.
The video also showed Martins becoming emotional while appreciating Seyi.
“God bless you, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, God bless you, sir. This means a lot. And it will go a long way,” the actress said amid tears.