Nigerian fintech giant and Stripe-owned Paystack has suspended its Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate.
The allegation, which surfaced on social media earlier this week, intensified after a Nigerian tech publication published a compilation of Olubi’s decade-old tweets containing sexually suggestive and inappropriate comments.
In a statement, Paystack said Olubi had been immediately suspended while a formal internal investigation was underway.
“Paystack is aware of the allegations involving our co-founder, Ezra Olubi. We take matters of this nature extremely seriously. Effective immediately, Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities pending the outcome of a formal investigation,” the company said.
The firm added that it would not comment further until the investigation is completed.
The controversy escalated after social media users circulated screenshots of tweets allegedly posted by Olubi between 2009 and 2013.
The posts contained explicit sexual comments, including references to coworkers, minors and animals.
One tweet dated 2011 read: “Monday will be more fun with an ‘a’ in it. Touch a coworker today. Inappropriately.”
Another resurfaced tweet referenced wanting to photograph a coworker’s thighs.
Remember that Olubi co-founded Paystack in 2015 alongside CEO Shola Akinlade.
The company quickly became one of Africa’s standout technology success stories, culminating in its acquisition by Stripe in 2020 in a deal valued at over $200 million.
