Nigerian fintech titan Paystack, a company acquired by Stripe in 2020, has suspended its Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, following a grave allegation of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate.
The controversy, which initially erupted on social media platforms, quickly escalated, prompting a formal internal investigation.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the controversy started on social media on Wednesday, after a lady identified as Max Obae, who once had a relationship with Ezra Olubi published personal complaints online.
The post prompted renewed attention to some tweets Olubi posted between 2009 and 2013, many of which contained sexually suggestive content involving colleagues and minors.
The resurfaced posts, dated between 2009 and 2013, included graphic comments, a remark about wanting to photograph a colleague’s thighs, and statements referencing minors
The resurfacing of the tweets reignited public debate over accountability, personal conduct, and the long-lasting impact of social media activity. Ezra Olubi has since deactivated his X account.
Some of the resurfaced tweets drew widespread criticism, with one reading: “I judge my female friends by the sound of their pee make. Thanks to the audio in my bathroom,” while another stated: “Save water. Take a bath with your neighbour’s daughter.”
One of the tweets, posted on May 23, 2011, read: “Monday will be more fun with an a in it. Touch a coworker today. Inappropriately.”
Dated 27 Feb 2012 Olubi said: “Sometimes, I just go on all fours and follow the cat around the house…blowing air on his anus.”
Another tweet on April 28, 2010, he said: “On a lighter note, I hear sex with a minor cures HIV. So my +ve followers, help yourselves. ur neighbour’s daughter isn’t looking bad today.”
A tweet posted on November 19, 2012, reads: “I had been deprived of watching sexy 16 year olds with exaggerated breasts and skimpy skirts on screen legally till I discovered anime.”
Another tweet posted on December 19, 2011, reads: “The reason I’m yet to share my view of my colleague’s thighs with you guys is because I’m still searching for a silent camera.”
Following the emergence of the past tweets, Paystack said it has opened a formal probe into the matter.
This was confirmed in a statement quoted by TechCabal on Friday.
“Paystack is aware of the allegations involving our Co-founder, Ezra Olubi. We take matters of this nature extremely seriously. Effective immediately, Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities pending the outcome of a formal investigation,” the company was quoted as saying in the statement according to the report by TechCabal.
The firm added that it would not be offering further comments while the process is ongoing.
“Out of respect for the individuals involved and to protect the integrity of the process, we will not be commenting further until the investigation is complete,” Paystack said.
Recall that Paystack was founded in 2015 by Ezra Olubi and Shola Akinlade. The company has grown to become a leading Nigerian fintech company providing online and offline payment infrastructure to businesses across Africa.
The company was the first Nigerian startup accepted into the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator in 2016, and it rapidly grew to serve tens of thousands of merchants.
In 2020, Paystack was acquired by global payments giant Stripe for over US$200 million, marking one of the largest fintech exits in Nigeria.
Olubi, as co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, played a key role in building the company’s technology architecture, helping it scale across Nigeria and beyond.
Below are some reactions from Nigerians on the matter;
