Janet Olufunke Damiro, a 71-year-old grandmother from Nigeria, has been sacked from her job at the London School of Economics (LSE) after being accused of stealing a gold bracelet, a claim she firmly denies.
Damiro, who moved to the UK in 1971 and had worked at LSE for 13 years, told Metro UK that she found the bracelet during her cleaning shift and absentmindedly slipped it into her purse, intending to hand it in later.
When questioned by management three days later, she returned the bracelet, but was still suspended and eventually dismissed for gross misconduct.
“I can’t sleep. I have never had a bad record or been to HR before in my life,” she said.
“LSE have treated me really badly. It was my only job, and I loved working there. I never expected to be suspended or dismissed.
“I did not steal this thing. If I see any items, I always hand them over.
“This is the first time in my life I have had a problem like this since I came to this country. It is really bugging me.”
Damiro’s case has sparked outrage among her colleagues. More than 70 staff, including three supervisors, signed a letter defending her honesty and long-standing commitment to her work.
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“Janet has always conducted herself with integrity and consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic,” the letter read.
Her trade union, United Voices of the World (UVW), is challenging the dismissal and criticising LSE’s handling of the situation. Speaking with UVW, Damiro said the entire ordeal has left her feeling humiliated and hopeless.
“I don’t steal. I’m not a thief. I’ve worked at LSE for over 10 years without any problems. I just forgot. At my age, you can forget like that.
“They look at me like I’m a thief. It’s unfair. I’ve not been myself at all, I don’t sleep at night. I don’t have a job now, but I have to pay my rent and bills. Who’s going to employ me at this age?”
LSE has declined to comment publicly, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
Meanwhile, students at the university have launched a petition demanding her reinstatement, calling the dismissal “deeply disturbing” and arguing that Damiro made a simple mistake, not a criminal act.
An appeal hearing initially set for May 22 has been postponed. A new date is expected later in June.