A fresh legal drama is unfolding in Nigeria’s tech space. Ezra Olubi, Paystack’s co-founder and former chief technology officer, has taken aim at investigative journalist David Hundeyin. The clash follows a series of viral tweets that Olubi’s lawyers say crossed the line.
On January 26, 2026, Olubi’s legal team issued a pre-action notice to Hundeyin. They demanded ₦140 million ($100,000) in damages over alleged defamation. The letter also set out strict conditions. Hundeyin must delete the posts, publish a retraction, and issue a public apology. If not, the dispute moves to the Lagos State High Court.
The Ezra Olubi defamation dispute has since drawn wide attention. It mixes tech celebrity, social media power, and Nigeria’s growing courtroom battles over online speech.
Tweets That Sparked the Fire
The controversy began in December 2025. Hundeyin posted a string of tweets that attracted millions of views. In them, he compared Olubi to American music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. He alleged that Olubi showed a “God complex”, an “absence of consequences”, and “sexual perversion”. He also claimed he was “willing to bet a good sum of money” that Olubi was a drug addict.
Olubi’s lawyers rejected the statements outright. They described them as “untrue, unsubstantiated, and malicious”, and said they painted their client as a “dangerous social misfit”.
The timing added fuel to the blaze. In November 2025, Paystack ended Olubi’s contract after old social media posts and misconduct allegations resurfaced. Olubi later said the termination “flouted due process” and was unfair. However, reports suggested internal investigations drove the decision.
Hundeyin’s posts appeared at the height of that corporate storm. Now, the Paystack co-founder defamation row sits at the centre of public debate.
Hundeyin Refuses to Step Back
Despite the legal threat, Hundeyin has not softened his stance. After receiving the notice, he shared the letter online. He responded with dismissive remarks and mockery of the ₦140 million demand. That reaction has only deepened the standoff.
For now, no formal lawsuit has been filed. However, both sides appear ready for a prolonged fight. Observers say the Ezra Olubi defamation case could test how Nigerian courts handle viral online accusations involving public figures in tech.
A Wider Pattern in Nigeria’s Digital Speech Wars
This dispute does not stand alone. Nigeria has recorded a rise in high-profile defamation battles linked to social media content. Earlier in January 2026, human rights lawyer Femi Falana won $25,000 in damages against Meta over a video shared on the platform.
As online influence grows, so does legal risk. The David Hundeyin Ezra Olubi clash highlights a shifting line between investigative commentary and alleged defamation. The next move now rests with the courts.
I am passionate about crafting stories, vibing to good music (and making some too), debating Nigeria’s political future like it’s the World Cup, and finding the perfect quiet spot to work and unwind.
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