In a heavyweight turn of events, Paystack has suspended its co-founder and CTO, Ezra Olubi, following a whirlwind of sexual misconduct allegations. The claims — which involve a subordinate — exploded online this week, sparking outrage, calls for justice, and now demands for a full police investigation.
What’s Happened: Suspension & Investigation
On Friday, November 14, 2025, Paystack publicly confirmed that it had placed Olubi on leave. In a statement, the company said the allegations are being taken “extremely seriously” and that a formal, internal investigation has begun.
Paystack also emphasized that out of respect for all parties and to safeguard the integrity of the process, it will not comment further until the probe concludes.
To many observers, however, a company-led inquiry isn’t enough — especially given the disturbing nature of what’s resurfaced.
The Trigger: Old Tweets & Personal Allegations
The spark for this crisis came on November 12, when a woman identified as Max “Maki” Obae publicly accused Olubi of having inappropriate relationships with subordinates. Obae claimed a power imbalance, describing her time with Olubi as manipulative and emotionally damaging.
Within hours, Nigerians were scouring the internet. What they found was not just salacious claims — but a digital archive of tweets from 2009 to 2013 that paint a chilling picture.
Some of the posts are deeply disturbing: one from May 23, 2011, reads, “Monday will be more fun with an ‘a’ in it. Touch a coworker today. Inappropriately.” In another, he allegedly joked about recording the sound of his female friends urinating: “I judge my female friends by the sound their pee makes. Thanks to the audio recorder in my bathroom.”
Even more harrowing: accusations of references to minors, bestiality, and sexualized fictional characters.
By November 13, Olubi had deactivated his X (formerly Twitter) account, offering no public statement in response to the firestorm.
Public Outcry: Calls for a Police Investigation
Paystack’s internal investigation might be underway — but Nigerians aren’t satisfied with just that.
Though earlier reports suggested pressure from the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), there has been no publicly issued CACOL statement confirming such demands. However, other influential voices have stepped in.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has publicly called on the Nigerian Police Force to begin a criminal investigation, citing possible violations of the Criminal Code, the Child Rights Act, and cybercrime statutes. He argues that some of the resurfaced tweets may indicate criminal behaviour — not merely tasteless jokes.
Why This Matters: Bigger Than One Man or One Startup
This isn’t just another tech scandal. For Paystack — one of Africa’s flagship fintechs, acquired by Stripe in 2020 for roughly $200 million — the allegations go to the heart of leadership, culture, and accountability.
Olubi, once celebrated as a brilliant engineer and a public advocate for progressive causes, now faces a reputational storm. Old tweets once dismissed as edgy humour are now being interpreted as disturbing signals of deeper issues.
On social media, the narrative has shifted rapidly. Many Nigerians are also revisiting the fact that Olubi received a national honour — the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) — in 2022. Debates have erupted over whether public figures are sufficiently scrutinized before being elevated to positions of national prestige.
What’s Next: A Watchdog Moment
- Internal review ongoing: Paystack’s investigation will face intense public scrutiny.
- Possible criminal probe: Pressure is mounting for a full police investigation.
- Public vigilance: Nigerians want clarity, transparency, and consequences where necessary.
The suspension of Ezra Olubi may just be the opening act in a much bigger reckoning. This is not only about past tweets — it’s about power, ethics, and whether Nigeria’s most visible tech leaders are held to the same standards as everyone else.