The tech community was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday after Paystack, one of Nigeria’s leading fintech companies, announced the suspension of its co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, following serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate. The news broke shortly after the accusation went viral on social media, sparking intense public scrutiny and forcing the company into immediate action.
In a statement released late Wednesday night, Paystack confirmed Olubi’s suspension and disclosed that a formal investigation is now underway. The company stressed that Olubi will not perform any duties or represent Paystack in any capacity until the inquiry is completed.
“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 statement read.
The company maintained that it would refrain from making further comments until the review is concluded, citing its commitment to protecting all parties involved and ensuring the integrity of the investigative process.
The controversy intensified on Thursday as a compilation of Olubi’s decade-old tweets resurfaced and quickly circulated across social platforms. The posts, dated between 2009 and 2013, contained sexually explicit remarks about colleagues, minors, and references to sexualised anime characters. Screenshots of the tweets fueled widespread backlash, with many Nigerians expressing shock and demanding full accountability.
In one 2011 tweet, Olubi made a crude joke about being aroused during a meeting. In another, he referenced wanting to secretly photograph a colleague’s thighs. Multiple other posts mentioned minors in inappropriate sexual contexts, further igniting public outrage.
Amid the escalating backlash, Olubi has remained silent. He has not issued any public statement regarding either the misconduct allegation or the resurfaced tweets. His X account was deactivated on Wednesday, shortly after the storm of criticism intensified.
As the investigation unfolds, the spotlight remains firmly on Paystack, a company widely regarded as a pioneer in Nigeria’s fintech revolution. The outcome of this case is expected to draw significant attention from both the tech ecosystem and the general public, many of whom are watching closely to see how the company navigates one of the most serious controversies in its history.
