Ezra Olubi, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of African fintech giant Paystack, has been suspended from all duties following a firestorm of allegations of sexual misconduct, emotional abuse, and the resurfacing of a trove of disturbing past social media posts.
The company, owned by U.S. payments leader Stripe, announced the suspension on Friday, November 14, 2025, stating it has launched a formal internal investigation into the matter.
In a statement, Paystack confirmed it was aware of the allegations and was taking them “extremely seriously.” “Effective immediately, Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities pending the outcome of a formal investigation,” the company said. Paystack added that it would not comment further to protect the integrity of the process.
The controversy exploded after a former partner of Olubi, Max “Maki” Obae, went public with accusations of manipulation and abusive behavior. In a live audio recording that circulated widely, Obae detailed a “psychotic” and manipulative pattern of behavior from Olubi during their relationship, which she said began in September 2023. She also alleged that Olubi was sexually involved with a junior colleague at Paystack.
Obae’s claims prompted online users to unearth a decade’s worth of controversial and explicit posts from Olubi’s now-deactivated X (formerly Twitter) account. The resurfaced tweets, some dating back to 2010, included graphic sexual jokes, disturbing comments about minors and colleagues, and other offensive content.
One widely condemned tweet from 2010 read, “On a lighter note, I hear sex with a minor cures HIV. So my +ve followers, help yourselves. Ur neighbour’s daughter isn’t looking bad today.” Another from 2012 stated, “I judge my female friends by the sound their pee makes. Thanks to the audio recorder in my bathroom.”
The revelations have sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s vibrant tech ecosystem, where Olubi was regarded as a trailblazing figure. Paystack’s acquisition by Stripe in 2020 for over $200 million remains a landmark deal for the continent.
Olubi, who celebrated his 39th birthday on November 12, 2025, deactivated his X account on November 13 as the allegations and his old posts went viral. He has yet to make a public statement on the matter.
The situation has ignited a broader conversation about accountability, power dynamics, and workplace conduct within Africa’s rapidly growing tech industry.