The controversy surrounding Paystack co-founder Ezra Olubi has escalated dramatically, with a leading anti-corruption organization formally calling for a police investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations that led to his suspension from the Stripe-owned fintech giant.
The call for action comes from the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), which argues that the allegations raise serious moral and criminal concerns, particularly regarding resurfaced old tweets. The scandal erupted into public view last Friday when Paystack announced Olubi's immediate suspension pending a formal internal investigation.
The uproar began after a woman with whom Olubi once had a relationship aired personal grievances online. Her post drew attention to a series of his old tweets from 2009 and 2013, which users said contained sexually suggestive remarks. Some of the resurfaced posts drew widespread condemnation, with one reading, “Save water. Take a bath with your neighbour’s daughter,” and another stating, “Touch a coworker today. Inappropriately.”
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In a statement to Saturday Punch, the Executive Director of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, described the situation as “moral corruption,” insisting that executives must be “above board in all his or her conduct.” While noting that consensual relationships between adults may not be criminal, Adeniran emphasized a critical distinction.
“If it is with minors, anybody under 18, then it is a criminal offence. No matter how it happens, once it involves an underage girl, the police should step in and ensure justice is done,” Adeniran stated. He further argued that “A minor is not capable of seducing an adult who is conscious of his integrity. So basically, that is a criminal offence that the police should step in and deal with.”
The CACOL director also faulted any potential delay by Paystack in notifying authorities if underage victims were involved, stating the company itself should have handed him over to the police. The allegations have also sparked a debate on social media about Olubi's 2022 national honour, with many users questioning the scrutiny applied before such accolades are conferred.
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