A former high-ranking executive at Kuda, one of Nigeria’s prominent fintech startups, has taken legal action in the United Kingdom, alleging workplace discrimination, a toxic corporate culture, and wrongful termination. Rosemary Hewat, Kuda’s former Group Chief People Officer, filed a lawsuit claiming that the company and its CEO, Babatunde Ogundeyi, fostered an environment where women were marginalized and treated unfairly.

According to reports from credible sources, court documents indicate that Hewat alleges Kuda failed to grant her stock options under the same terms as her male counterparts and dismissed her after she raised concerns about gender-based workplace mistreatment.

Kuda, an FCCPC-approved loan app in Nigeria that has publicly positioned itself as a proponent of gender inclusivity, now faces scrutiny over these claims. The company, backed by Target Global, has highlighted its efforts to support women in the workplace. Hewat herself played a key role in these initiatives, announcing in March 2023 that Kuda had achieved a 1:1 gender ratio. However, her lawsuit paints a different picture, describing an environment where women were systematically excluded and belittled.

Hewat specifically accuses Ogundeyi of fostering a hostile work culture. The lawsuit claims he made demeaning remarks about female employees, publicly humiliated two women at a strategy retreat in December 2023, and dismissed them as “low class” for lacking exposure to luxury. She further alleges that he instilled fear among employees, stating that staff “see him as God” and are afraid to approach him.

When asked about the allegations, Kuda confirmed the lawsuit but declined to comment.

“In line with our current policy and out of respect for privacy, we do not comment on matters of this nature involving current or former employees,” a Kuda spokesperson stated via email.

One of the key points in Hewat’s legal claims revolves around her Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). She alleges that Kuda reneged on an agreement to grant her shares at the more favorable Series A valuation, instead offering them at the higher Series B price. Meanwhile, her male counterpart, Steven Bastian, reportedly received adjusted terms to reflect the lower valuation. According to the lawsuit, Ogundeyi justified this by claiming Bastian’s role as Group CFO was “more important” than Hewat’s.

Hewat also asserts that she faced professional retaliation after voicing her concerns. She says she was deliberately excluded from critical meetings, and that Kuda’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Pavel Khristolubov, gradually took over aspects of her role while undermining her. When she raised the issue with Ogundeyi, she claims he dismissed her concerns and advised her to “spend the next six months getting Khristolubov to like her.”

Her employment at Kuda officially ended on February 20, 2024—just weeks after she filed a formal grievance about the ESOP issue. Hewat alleges she was dismissed while on her way to an executive retreat in Nigeria, with Kuda framing the decision as part of cost-cutting measures. However, she argues that the company continued spending on discretionary items, including allegedly employing a nanny for Ogundeyi’s children at the company’s expense. Adding to the confusion, Kuda’s Chief Technical Officer, Mutairu Mustapha, reportedly told Hewat that her termination was a “mistake” and urged her to return to work.

The impact of these events, Hewat claims, severely affected her mental and physical health, leading to panic attacks, depression, and insomnia. She is now seeking financial compensation for lost benefits, emotional distress, and punitive damages for what she describes as severe workplace misconduct.

Kuda has yet to issue a public statement addressing the lawsuit or the allegations made against its leadership.