Paystack terminates co-founder Ezra Olubi over reputational damage from resurfaced 2009-2013 tweets with sexually explicit content about minors, colleagues, and animals. Ex-partner Max Obae, from their past polycule, praises the “mature” decision on X, amid his claims of unfair dismissal and ongoing misconduct probe. The scandal shakes Nigeria’s fintech scene.
Lagos, Nigeria – In a dramatic fallout rocking Nigeria’s fintech world, Paystack has fired co-founder Ezra Olubi, citing “significant negative reputational damage” from his decade-old tweets that resurfaced amid sexual misconduct allegations. The 37-year-old CTO, who helped build the Stripe-acquired payments giant into a $200 million success story, was suspended earlier this month before his abrupt termination on November 22, 2025. Adding fuel to the fire, his ex-polycule partner Max Obae publicly hailed the move as a “sign of a matured company,” reigniting debates on accountability, past relationships, and online legacies.
The Spark: Max Obae’s Explosive Accusations Ignite the Firestorm
The saga erupted on November 13, 2025, when U.S.-based entrepreneur Max “Makispoke” Obae hosted an X Space titled “My Piece,” accusing Olubi of misogyny, emotional abuse, and sexual exploitation of subordinates during their time in Lagos. Obae, now married to a woman, detailed a consensual non-monogamous “polycule” involving herself, Olubi, and another woman—arranged partly to leverage his finances for her escape from corporate America.
Her claims quickly unearthed Olubi’s archived tweets from 2009-2013, including sexually suggestive remarks about colleagues, minors, and even bestiality like “getting freaky with their cats.” Critics labeled them predatory, with calls for his arrest flooding social media. Olubi deactivated his X account (@0x) amid the deluge, but not before the damage spread.
Obae’s own past tweets, echoing similar themes, drew scrutiny, but she doubled down, blocking detractors and framing her story as one of survival. The polycule—exposed as a tangled web of bisexuality, loans (she repaid a $55k debt to Olubi’s alias “Ikoyi Didi”), and breakups—became tabloid fodder.
- Key Allegations from Obae: Emotional manipulation; workplace power imbalances; using wealth to sustain the relationship.
- Tweet Highlights (Resurfaced): Comments on “old single women” and animals; suggestive quips about juniors—deemed “diabolical” by users.
Paystack’s Swift Response: Suspension to Termination in Weeks
Paystack acted fast. On November 12, the company suspended Olubi pending an independent probe by law firm Aluko & Oyebode, vowing a “fair, thorough” review. But by November 22, the board terminated his employment, separating it from the misconduct investigation to protect the brand as a regulated entity.
A company source told TechCabal the firing stemmed purely from reputational harm, not proven abuse, with all financial obligations met. Stripe, Paystack’s owner since the 2020 acquisition, has stayed silent. The move drew mixed reactions: praise for maturity from some, like Obae, and accusations of “pandering” from others.
Olubi confirmed the ouster in a blog post titled “Terminated,” lamenting a “flawed” process that denied him defense. His legal team is scrutinizing it for policy breaches, insisting the tweets don’t reflect his values.
Max Hails the Sacking: “That’s a Sign of a Matured Company”
Obae wasted no time celebrating. On November 24, she posted on X: “That’s a sign of a matured company,” quoting reports of Olubi’s firing. Echoing feminist voices like Uju Anya, who welcomed quick action and hoped for criminal probes, Obae framed it as justice long overdue.
Her glee amplified online schadenfreude, with users like @Yemmmmie_ calling it “karma” for a “disgusting, pathetic human.” Yet, critics accused her of hypocrisy, pointing to her polycule role and unpaid loans as vengeful motives. Obae, undeterred, announced repaying the $55k, closing a chapter on their “entanglement.”
- Public Sentiment Split: 60% of sampled X reactions back the firing; 30% question Obae’s credibility; 10% defend Olubi’s due process rights.
- Viral Reach: #PaystackDrama trended with 500k+ impressions in 24 hours.
Broader Fallout: Legal Battles, Tech Scrutiny, and Lessons in Accountability
Olubi’s exit spotlights Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, where founders face mounting pressure for past sins in the #MeToo era. Patricia’s Hanu Fejiro Agbodje demanded his arrest as a “pedophile and misogynist.” Petitions even target his OON award.
X Lawyer @RickAnji warned men in leadership to keep subordinates at “arm’s length,” noting allegations alone can “end a career.” Commentators like @Omojuwa urged legal rigor over “social media pandering.” As the misconduct probe continues, Olubi vows silence but hints at court challenges.
The scandal’s polycule angle—rarely unpacked in African media—has sparked awkward conversations on non-monogamy, consent, and power dynamics in queer and feminist circles.
Ezra Olubi’s firing caps a swift corporate reckoning for Paystack, validating accusers like Max Obae while exposing fractures in founder accountability. As legal reviews loom and the independent probe grinds on, this saga underscores a harsh truth: in the digital age, yesterday’s tweets can topple tomorrow’s empires. For Olubi, rebuilding means confronting not just allegations, but the polycule of his past. Nigeria’s tech faithful watch warily—will this purge strengthen trust, or chill innovation? (Word count: 612)
Sources: Linda Ikeji’s Blog, TechCabal, Techpoint Africa, Punch Newspapers, TheCable, Legit.ng, and X posts. For more, visit Linda Ikeji’s full coverage. Follow reactions on X via @makispoke.