Nigerian National Faces US Charges Over Alleged Illegal Voting in Two Elections

A 56-year-old Nigerian national living in Lynn, Massachusetts, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, has been arrested by United States authorities over allegations that she unlawfully voted in American elections despite not being a US citizen.

Okafor is accused of casting a ballot in the 2022 midterm elections and later participating in the 2024 presidential primary election.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced the arrest and charges in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The office said, “BOSTON – A Nigerian national residing in Lynn, Mass. has been arrested and charged with illegally voting in the 2022 midterm elections. Defendant also allegedly voted in the 2024 Presidential primary election.”

According to the authorities, Okafor has been charged with unlawfully voting as an alien. She was arrested on Wednesday morning and was expected to appear before a federal court in Boston later the same day.

The statement said, “Gladys Adaeze Okafor, 56, is charged with unlawfully voting as an alien. The defendant was arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston later today.”

Court documents identified Okafor as a Nigerian citizen born in Aba, Nigeria. The documents said she obtained lawful permanent resident status in December 2022 but had not become a US citizen or applied for American citizenship.

Prosecutors allege that her first voting-related offence occurred before she obtained permanent resident status.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, “In July 2022, Okafor allegedly submitted a voter registration card, signing her name under a certification which provided ‘I am a citizen of the United States … Signed under penalty of perjury.’ The City of Lynn subsequently registered her to vote, and Okafor allegedly voted in the midterm elections that fall.”

Authorities further alleged that Okafor submitted another voter registration application in October 2023, again identifying herself as a US citizen.

The statement said, “It is further alleged that Okafor submitted a second voter registration form in October of 2023, checking the ‘U.S. Citizen’ box and signing under the US citizen certification. Okafor allegedly voted in the 2024 presidential primary election.”

The federal charge carries a maximum prison term of one year, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of as much as $100,000.

The US Attorney’s Office said, “The charge of unlawful voting as an alien provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $100,000. The defendant may be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.”

The office added that the eventual punishment, if Okafor is convicted, would be determined by a federal district judge in accordance with the US Sentencing Guidelines and applicable federal sentencing laws.

The case was announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

Assistant US Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.

The prosecution also forms part of an initiative established by the District of Massachusetts to tackle alleged benefit and voter fraud.

The office said, “On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts.”

The statement also referenced a separate initiative announced by the US Department of Justice in April 2026.

It said, “On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people.”

Despite the allegations, federal prosecutors emphasised that the charges against Okafor have not yet been proven in court.

The US Attorney’s Office stated, “The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.”