Uk University Dismisses 71-year-old Nigerian Grandmother Over Missing Bracelet

Janet Olufunke Damiro, a 71-year-old Nigerian-born grandmother, has been terminated from her cleaning role at the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) following allegations of theft involving a misplaced bracelet.

According to a report by Metro UK on Thursday, Damiro—who has lived in the UK since 1971 and worked at LSE for 13 years—claimed she unintentionally left the gold bracelet in her handbag after discovering it during her shift. She said she had intended to hand it in but forgot.

Although she returned the bracelet three days later when questioned by LSE management, she was suspended and later dismissed in April for gross misconduct.

“I can’t sleep,” Damiro said. “I’ve never had any disciplinary issues or been reported to HR. LSE treated me very unfairly. That was my only job, and I truly loved it. I never thought I’d be suspended, let alone dismissed. I didn’t steal anything—if I find lost items, I always turn them in. This is the first time I’ve faced something like this in all my years in the UK. It’s deeply troubling.”

Support for Damiro has poured in from more than 70 of her co-workers, including three supervisors, who submitted a letter to LSE defending her character and work ethic.

“Janet has always displayed integrity and a strong commitment to her duties,” the letter stated.

Her trade union, United Voices of the World (UVW), has also appealed her dismissal and condemned the university’s handling of the incident in a statement released last month.

Speaking with UVW, Damiro maintained her innocence. “I’m not a thief. I’ve worked at LSE for over a decade with a clean record. I just forgot—and at my age, that happens. They look at me like I’m a criminal. It’s unfair. I can’t sleep, I’ve lost my job, and I still have rent and bills to pay. Who’s going to hire me now?”

LSE has declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the appeal process.

Meanwhile, a group of students at the university has launched a petition demanding her reinstatement, calling the dismissal “deeply disturbing” and arguing that it was a disproportionate response to a minor mistake.

An appeal hearing initially set for May 22 was postponed. A new hearing is expected to take place later in June.