Paystack, a fintech, has suspended its Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, following an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a former subordinate and the resurfacing of disturbing tweets dating back more than a decade.
The suspension, announced after a storm of social-media criticism, signals one of the most serious reputational crises to hit the company since its founding.
The controversy began on Wednesday when an individual who previously had a personal relationship with Olubi posted detailed allegations online.
The publication reignited scrutiny of old tweets Olubi wrote between 2009 and 2013, many of which contained inappropriate or sexually suggestive comments referencing colleagues, women and, in some cases, minors.
The tweets resurfaced with screenshots that quickly circulated on X, prompting widespread condemnation. Shortly afterward, Olubi deactivated his social-media account.
Among the widely shared posts were messages such as, “I judge my female friends by the sound their pee makes,” and another that encouraged bathing with “your neighbour’s daughter.”
A separate tweet from 2011 encouraged inappropriate touching of a coworker. The renewed visibility of the posts fueled a larger debate about personal accountability, workplace boundaries and how past digital behaviour can resurface to shape public perception years later.
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According to a report by TechCabal, Paystack confirmed that it had opened a formal investigation into the allegations and immediately suspended Olubi from his duties.
In the statement, the company stressed that it takes all concerns involving misconduct seriously and would refrain from further comment until an impartial review is completed.
“Out of respect for the individuals involved and to protect the integrity of the process, we will not be commenting further,” Paystack said.
Founded in 2015 by Olubi and Shola Akinlade, Paystack rapidly became one of Africa’s leading payments companies, offering digital infrastructure that allows businesses to process online and offline transactions.
It attracted global attention when it became the first Nigerian startup accepted into Y Combinator in 2016.
Four years later, Paystack was acquired by U.S. payments giant Stripe for more than $200 million, a landmark deal that cemented its status as one of Africa’s biggest tech successes.
Olubi, as CTO, played a central role in building Paystack’s core architecture and expanding its capabilities across Nigeria and other African markets.
His suspension now raises questions about leadership continuity and how the company will navigate both operational and reputational fallout.
The incident also arrives at a time when conversations about workplace safety, digital traces and corporate ethics are increasingly shaping public expectations for African tech companies.
Paystack’s next steps, particularly the outcome of its investigation, will likely determine how the company restores confidence among users, investors and industry stakeholders.
