Paystack co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer Ezra Olubi has claimed that he was unfairly dismissed from the company following allegations of sexual misconduct.
Olubi made the revelation in a blog post published on Sunday, asserting that his termination occurred before he was allowed to defend himself.
The controversy first arose in mid-November after a social media post accused Olubi of abusive behaviour.
The post quickly went viral, prompting online users to resurface explicit tweets he had posted between 2009 and 2013, which sparked widespread criticism.
Following the allegations, Paystack confirmed that it had suspended Olubi and opened a formal investigation, stating that it had set up a review process and intended to appoint an independent investigator.
However, Olubi argued that the investigation was still ongoing when the company ended his contract, preventing him from defending his name.
ALSO READ: Paystack suspends Ezra Olubi over misconduct
“Over the past few days, my name and reputation, built over years as co-founder and technical leader at Paystack, have been called into question because of information circulating online,” Olubi wrote.
He added that he had chosen not to make public statements during the investigation to avoid interfering with the process and because he expected a fair and unbiased review.
Olubi emphasised that he was not granted a hearing before his contract was terminated, describing the action as potentially contravening the company’s internal policies and the terms of his suspension.
He said that the silence during the investigation allowed assumptions and misrepresentations to circulate unchecked.
Regarding the resurfaced tweets, Olubi stated that they do not reflect his conduct or the way he has lived his life. “Those who know me personally or professionally understand that the posts being circulated do not reflect my conduct or the way I have lived my life.
I have always conducted myself in a manner that respects everyone’s dignity and safety,” he wrote. He concluded that his legal team would explore possible steps in response to the termination.
Founded in 2015 by Olubi and Shola Akinlade, Paystack is one of Africa’s leading payments companies. It became the first Nigerian startup accepted into Y Combinator in 2016 and was acquired by Stripe in 2020 for over $200 million.
The situation highlights the complexities companies face when allegations against high-profile executives surface, especially amid social media scrutiny.
Paystack’s approach, including the suspension and ongoing investigation, reflects efforts to handle such issues transparently, while Olubi’s statement underscores the importance of due process and fair treatment during internal inquiries.
As the story develops, industry observers and stakeholders await updates on any legal proceedings or further clarifications from both Olubi and Paystack.
Punch
