How a Misplaced Classroom Key Nearly Led to a "Looting" Charge at UDUS

 In the high-pressure weeks preceding the second-semester examinations at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), a simple quest for electricity turned into a harrowing encounter with the institution's stringent disciplinary system.

Facing a multi-day power outage in the hostels, I ventured to the Faculty of Law on a Friday morning to charge my essential devices. After a lengthy negotiation with the security personnel on duty, I was granted a key to one of the classrooms. By the time I left for Jumu’ah prayers, my gadgets were powered, but a combination of ill health and fatigue caused me to inadvertently keep the key in my possession overnight.

What began as a minor oversight quickly escalated the following morning. Upon attempting to return the key, I was met by a security officer who characterized the incident not as a late return, but as a potential security breach. The situation intensified when the officer threatened to report the matter to the Dean of the Faculty of Law, alleging that property from the classroom (LC3) had been looted.

The matter was subsequently escalated to "Room 20," the university’s hub for disciplinary affairs. While the security officer maintained his allegations of looted property, the presiding officials took a more measured approach, categorizing the incident as a "minor issue" contingent upon the integrity of the classroom's contents.

As part of the university's formal process, I was required to provide my confirmation letter and sign a written undertaking, accepting full financial liability for any missing items. Following a joint inspection of the classroom, it was confirmed that all property was intact, and the matter was resolved without further penalty.