The Co-Founder and former Chief Technology Officer of Paystack, Ezra Olubi, has confirmed that he has been dismissed from the company. He stated in a release issued on November 24, 2025, that the decision was taken prematurely and contrary to internal procedures.

His dismissal followed an earlier suspension approved by the Paystack Board of Directors after his name appeared in widespread online reports alleging sexual misconduct. The company, acquired by Stripe in 2020, had previously indicated that an independent investigation had been launched into the allegations.

The situation intensified around November 12, 2025, when claims of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate began circulating on social media. The development coincided with renewed public attention on several sexually explicit and inappropriate tweets he posted between 2009 and 2013, which triggered backlash and raised questions about the company’s governance.

Following the online reactions, the Board suspended Olubi from his duties around November 14, 2025, pending the outcome of the probe. At the time, Paystack reiterated that it treats such issues “extremely seriously” and would not release more details in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

Olubi said in his first public comment since the suspension that he was notified of his dismissal on November 22, 2025. He claimed the action was taken “before the supposed investigation was concluded, and without any meeting, hearing, or opportunity for me to respond to the issues raised.”

He described the move as a “clear contravention of the terms of the suspension and Paystack’s own internal policies.”

Olubi said he had cooperated fully with the Board throughout the process and explained that his earlier silence was intended to avoid influencing the inquiry. He said this allowed “assumptions and misrepresentations to spread without challenge.”

He maintained that the actions and materials circulating online “do not reflect my conduct or the way I have lived my life,” adding that he has consistently upheld “everyone’s dignity and safety.”

Olubi confirmed that his legal representatives are now “reviewing the process that led to my purported termination” to determine whether it aligns with internal company rules. He said his team “will take the steps they consider appropriate,” adding that he will not provide further comments for now.

Senator Orji Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, has attributed the recent spate of killings and abductions in Nigeria to political motivations. He said the violent attacks targeting various parts of the country were orchestrated by politicians aiming to destabilise the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Kalu claimed that the sponsors of these attacks intend to make Tinubu fail in the same manner as former President Goodluck Jonathan. He did not, however, disclose the identities of the alleged sponsors.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Kalu described the incidents as a recurring pattern associated with election periods. He said, “What we are seeing is always a routine, something that goes with the elections, and when you have an election, people will try to pressure the government in power for all kinds of things to start happening. And you can remember when President Jonathan was here, a similar thing happened. They put a lot of pressure on the President. And the terrorists and the bandits are orchestrated by some members of the international community and local people who really want to destabilise the government.”

Kalu further emphasized that the recent wave of attacks is part of political manoeuvring during elections, saying, “And the terrorists and the bandits are orchestrated by some members of the international community and local people who really want to destabilise the government.” Despite the challenges, the senator affirmed that President Tinubu has demonstrated capability in managing the security situation.

“But I’m sure you can see that President Tinubu is equal to the task; for the first time, you see the president cancelling all his engagements. Today is Sunday, and he faced security challenges. He faced everything about security,” Kalu stated. He added that the abducted girls would be recovered, noting that “the government is making every effort to make sure these people are recovered, and it’s because of a few announcements internationally and locally, talking about Nigeria’s insecurity. I’m sure it’s not the best of times for us. It’s not a very good time for Nigerian people and Nigerian citizens. Our service chiefs, our security operatives have gone fully on duty to see what they can do.”

The former governor also linked the increase in attacks to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump concerning killings in Nigeria. Kalu asserted that the intelligence community is aware of those responsible. He said, “For the past few months, we have been quiet on President [Donald] Trump talks about people being killed in Nigeria, and you can see people talk about the 2027 election this and that, and you can see these are all about politics, but we’re equal to the task. The Federal Government will move to challenge these people. These people are partially missionaries bought by politicians. These people are people bought by individuals. These people are people centred to destabilise the President who is ready to fight for our economy, that is ready to revamp the economy that’s been trying his best to see what he can do.”

On whether President Tinubu was aware of the situation, Kalu said, “The President is the president of Nigeria, and the president of Nigeria has a lot of information around him.” He added that Tinubu has been losing sleep over the security challenges facing the nation but praised the President’s decision to withdraw police officers attached to VIPs, describing it as a prudent measure.

Kalu also said that international collaboration, particularly with the United States, would be beneficial for addressing insecurity in Nigeria. “We need to work together with the United States of America. We need that partnership,” he stated.

The senator’s comments come amid a series of violent incidents across Nigeria. Gunmen kidnapped 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, resulting in the death of the vice principal. Over 300 schoolchildren were also abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, although 50 of them managed to escape. Additionally, gunmen attacked the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, killing three people and abducting 38 worshippers, all of whom have since been released, according to the Kwara State Government.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing insecurity nationwide, stating that he will continue working until all citizens are adequately protected.

In a statement released on Sunday via his official X handle, the President said that Nigerians in every part of the country deserve safety and assured that security would be strengthened under his leadership. He said, “Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people.”

Tinubu recalled that he had cancelled his planned trip to the Group of 20 summit scheduled for Saturday, November 22, and Sunday, November 23, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in South Africa.

Instead of travelling, he delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the summit, noting that the decision was taken to allow him intensify efforts toward the rescue of 25 schoolgirls abducted last Monday in Kebbi State as well as church worshippers kidnapped in Kwara State.

Providing an update on ongoing rescue operations, Tinubu announced that 38 worshippers abducted by bandits from the Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, had regained their freedom.

He also said that 51 of the more than 300 children abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State had been rescued, acknowledging the security agencies for their swift action. He noted that he had been “closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.”

Tinubu added, “You will recall that I cancelled my trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to enable me coordinate the security efforts at home. Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State have been rescued. I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State, have been recovered.”

Earlier, the President had directed security agencies to intensify search-and-rescue operations and reinforce preventive deployments across areas affected by recent attacks.

On Thursday, he ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to oversee security operations aimed at securing the release of the kidnapped schoolgirls.