US Arrests 56-Year-Old Nigerian Woman Over Alleged Illegal Voting In Two Elections

United States authorities have arrested a 56-year-old Nigerian woman, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, in Lynn, Massachusetts, over allegations that she unlawfully voted in two US elections despite not being a US citizen.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Okafor was arrested and charged with unlawfully voting as an alien, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. She is accused of casting ballots in the November 2022 midterm elections and the 2024 presidential primary.

Charging documents reportedly identified Okafor as a Nigerian citizen who was born in Aba, Abia State. She obtained lawful permanent resident status in December 2022 but, according to the authorities, had neither become a US citizen nor applied for citizenship.

Prosecutors alleged that Okafor submitted a voter registration form in Lynn in July 2022 and signed a declaration stating that she was a US citizen. Authorities said she was subsequently registered to vote by the City of Lynn and allegedly cast a ballot in the November 2022 midterm elections.

The charging documents further alleged that Okafor submitted another voter registration form in October 2023 and again indicated that she was a US citizen. She was subsequently accused of voting in the 2024 presidential primary election.

The US Attorney’s Office said Okafor was expected to appear before a federal court in Boston following her arrest.

The charge of unlawfully voting as an alien carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. Depending on the circumstances and any immigration proceedings, she could also face deportation after completing any sentence imposed.

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 prosecuting the case.

Authorities said the investigation is connected to the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, established in March 2026 to investigate alleged fraud in Massachusetts. The US Department of Justice also announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division in April 2026.

However, authorities stressed that the allegations contained in the charging documents have not been proven in court. Okafor is presumed innocent unless and until she is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.