Paystack Suspends Co-Founder Ezra Olubi Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Paystack has suspended its co-founder and CTO, Ezra Olubi, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate. The company has opened a formal investigation and says the review will be led by an independent third-party investigator. The allegations have also resurfaced decade-old explicit tweets, sparking renewed scrutiny within Africa’s tech ecosystem.

Paystack suspends Ezra Olubi, the co-founder and the CTO. Paystack, the Stripe-owned Nigerian payments company, has suspended its co-founder and chief technology officer, Ezra Olubi, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate. The allegation began circulating on social media on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, prompting public concern and internal review.

In a statement to TechCabal, Paystack confirmed the suspension and announced the launch of a formal investigation into the claims.

“Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities pending a formal investigation,” the company said.

Independent Investigation Underway

Paystack disclosed that its board has begun the process of appointing an independent third-party investigator in line with its internal policies, emphasizing fairness, confidentiality, and due process.

“To protect the integrity of this process, we will not be commenting further until the investigation is complete,” the statement added.

This approach reflects the increasing demand for transparent governance in Africa’s fast-growing tech sector, especially when allegations involve senior executives.

Resurfaced Tweets Add Public Pressure

The allegations also triggered renewed attention to decade-old tweets made by Olubi between 2009 and 2013, many of which contain sexually explicit comments about colleagues and references to minors.

Notable examples include inappropriate remarks about coworkers, references to sexualised anime characters, and a 2011 tweet that read:

“Monday will be more fun with an ‘a’ in it. Touch a coworker today. Inappropriately.“

These resurfaced tweets have spread quickly across X, intensifying public scrutiny and raising broader questions about workplace culture and leadership standards in the African tech landscape. As of publication, Olubi has not publicly addressed the allegations and has since deactivated his X account.

Paystack suspends Ezra Olubi — A screenshot of Olubis tweet making a sexually explicit comment about a coworker

A Sector Familiar With Misconduct Cases

The controversy comes at a time when Africa’s technology ecosystem has seen multiple high-profile misconduct incidents.

In October, Oscar Limoke, CEO of Kenya’s Pawa IT Solutions, was fined by the Employment and Labour Relations Court over sexual harassment and assault allegations that drove an employee to resign.

These recurring incidents have sparked ongoing conversations about accountability, power dynamics, and the expectations placed on senior leaders in high-trust workplaces.

Paystack’s Reputation Makes This Case Highly Watched

Paystack is one of Africa’s most influential tech companies, with a legacy tied to innovation, transparency, and strong employer branding. Founded in 2015, it was one of Y Combinator’s earliest African investments and became globally recognized following its $200 million acquisition by Stripe in 2020, one of Africa’s biggest exits to date.

Given its prominence, industry watchers are paying close attention to how the company handles this investigation, especially its adherence to internal values and its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace.

TechCabal also reached out to Stripe, Paystack’s parent company, but the company had not responded as of publication time.

Paystack Reaffirms Its Values

Despite the resurfaced tweets and ongoing allegations, Paystack emphasized its commitment to protecting its employees and upholding its stated values.

“In line with our internal policies, we have established a fair, transparent, and structured review process.“
“This process is guided by our policies, our values, and our commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all employees.“

The company has made clear that the investigation will proceed without public commentary until it reaches an official conclusion.