Janet Olufunke Damiro, a 71-year-old Nigerian national and longstanding employee, has been terminated from her position as a cleaner at the London School of Economics (“LSE”) following allegations of theft concerning a misplaced bracelet.
According to a report published exclusively by Metro UK on Thursday, Ms. Damiro, who emigrated from Nigeria to the United Kingdom in 1971 and had maintained continuous employment at LSE for a period of 13 years, contends that the gold bracelet was inadvertently placed in her purse after discovery during her work shift, with the intention to return the item at a later time.
Ms. Damiro returned the bracelet three days subsequent to the initial incident upon inquiry by LSE management. Notwithstanding this, she was suspended pending investigation and ultimately dismissed in April on grounds of gross misconduct.
Ms. Damiro has expressed significant distress, stating, “I cannot sleep. I have never had a disciplinary record nor engaged with Human Resources previously in my employment history.”
Ms. Janet Olufunke Damiro, a 71-year-old Nigerian national and long-serving employee of the London School of Economics and Political Science (hereinafter “LSE”), has alleged that she was unfairly dismissed from her role as a cleaner following an accusation of theft involving a gold bracelet.
According to an exclusive report by Metro UK, Ms. Damiro—who emigrated to the United Kingdom from Nigeria in 1971 and had been in continuous employment with LSE for approximately thirteen (13) years—stated that she discovered the bracelet during the course of her duties and, intending to hand it in at a later point, inadvertently placed it in her purse. Upon being questioned by LSE management three days thereafter, Ms. Damiro promptly returned the item. Despite her cooperation and the absence of any prior disciplinary record, she was suspended and ultimately dismissed from her employment in April 2024 on the grounds of alleged gross misconduct.
In her own words, Ms. Damiro stated:
“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.”
Further, she added in remarks made to her trade union:
“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?”
The trade union United Voices of the World (UVW), which represents Ms. Damiro, has appealed the dismissal and issued a public statement via its website criticising LSE’s handling of the matter. UVW has characterised the university’s response as disproportionate and inconsistent with Ms. Damiro’s previously unblemished record.
In support of Ms. Damiro, more than seventy (70) colleagues, including three supervisory staff members, submitted a written statement to LSE management attesting to her exemplary character and professional conduct. The letter stated:
“Janet has always conducted herself with integrity and consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic.”
Meanwhile, a petition initiated by LSE students calling for Ms. Damiro’s reinstatement has gained traction, with signatories denouncing the disciplinary action as “deeply disturbing” and inappropriate in view of what is widely perceived to have been a minor and unintentional error.
LSE has declined to issue a public comment on the matter, citing the ongoing nature of the case.#newsafro_
