Paystack has suspended its Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Ezra Olubi, after an allegation of sexual misconduct circulated online on Wednesday, 12 November 2025. The company acted on Thursday after several old tweets posted by Mr. Olubi between 2009 and 2013 resurfaced on X, drawing renewed scrutiny to workplace behaviour and leadership accountability.
In a statement shared with TechCabal, Paystack said the suspension took immediate effect and that a formal investigation had begun. “The Board is in the process of appointing an independent third-party investigator to ensure the investigation is conducted fairly, thoroughly, and with full confidentiality,” the company said.
The allegation has resurfaced attention on several decade-old tweets in which Mr. Olubi made sexually explicit remarks about colleagues, minors, and anime characters. One tweet, posted on 23 May 2011, read: “Monday will be more fun with an ‘a’ in it. Touch a coworker today. Inappropriately.” These posts circulated widely on Thursday, deepening concerns around professional conduct and workplace ethics.
The development comes amid growing calls for stronger workplace protections. Earlier in November, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency urged civil servants to report harassment without fear of retaliation, noting that silence and inaction undermine both individual dignity and organisational integrity.
Nigerian labour standards recognise sexual harassment as serious misconduct. Although the Labour Act does not explicitly define the term, workplace policies, judicial precedents, and employment codes consistently categorise unwelcome sexual behaviour as a disciplinary offence. Employers are legally and ethically required to provide safe reporting channels, conduct prompt investigations, and ensure adequate protection for complainants.
Paystack, founded in 2015 and acquired by Stripe for $200 million in 2020, has long emphasised values such as communication and transparency as central to its organisational culture. The ongoing investigation has placed those values under renewed examination.
“In line with our internal policies, we have established a fair, transparent, and structured review process to conduct a thorough investigation. This process is guided by our policies, our values, and our commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all employees,” the company said.
For Human Resource professionals, the case serves as a timely reminder of HR’s critical role in shaping organisational culture. It underscores the need for robust harassment policies, transparent investigative procedures, and trusted mechanisms through which employees can speak up. Ensuring these structures are in place not only mitigates risk but also reinforces an organisation’s commitment to respect and safety.
Paystack said it will not provide further comment until the investigation is concluded. This remains a developing story.
