Former Paystack co-founder and chief technology officer, Ezra Olubi, has launched legal proceedings against investigative journalist David Hundeyin, in a move that has caught many observers off guard.

Olubi, who was dismissed from the Nigerian fintech giant in November 2025 under controversial circumstances, had previously hinted that his legal team would challenge the manner of his termination. While industry watchers expected action against Paystack, Olubi’s first major step has instead been directed at Hundeyin.

According to a pre-action letter shared by Hundeyin on his X account on Monday, Olubi’s lawyers accuse the journalist of defamation over two posts published on December 6, 2025.

The posts, viewed millions of times, compared Olubi to embattled U.S. music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, currently facing multiple lawsuits and serving time, suggesting both men shared traits such as a “God complex,” “sexual perversion,” and drug use.

Olubi’s legal team insists the remarks were false, damaging, and intended to paint him as “dangerous” and “egotistical.” They are demanding four remedies: deletion of the posts, a written undertaking not to repeat such claims, a public apology of equal prominence, and NGN 140 million (about USD 100,000) in damages.

The dispute adds a new chapter to Olubi’s turbulent exit from Paystack, which Stripe acquired in 2020 for over USD 200 million. His firing followed the resurfacing of decade-old explicit tweets and fresh allegations of misconduct.

Paystack cited reputational harm as grounds for dismissal, but Olubi countered that the board acted prematurely, without completing an independent investigation or granting him a hearing.

The pre-action letter warns that failure to comply within seven days will result in a defamation suit at the Lagos State High Court. Hundeyin, for his part, has dismissed the notice with a profanity-laden email, rejecting the demands outright.