A 56-year-old Nigerian woman living in Massachusetts, United States, has been arrested and charged over allegations that she illegally voted in U.S. elections.
The woman, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, is accused of voting in the 2022 midterm elections and the 2024 presidential primary election.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced her arrest on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Nigerian Woman Faces Federal Voting Charge
According to federal prosecutors, Okafor is a Nigerian citizen who was born in Aba, Nigeria.
She lives in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Authorities said Okafor registered to vote in July 2022.
Prosecutors allege that she indicated on the voter registration form that she was a U.S. citizen.
The City of Lynn subsequently registered her as a voter.
Authorities allege that Okafor then voted in the 2022 midterm elections.
Second Registration Alleged
Federal prosecutors said Okafor submitted another voter registration form in October 2023.
According to the charging documents, she again indicated that she was a U.S. citizen.
Prosecutors further allege that she voted in the 2024 presidential primary election.
The allegations are contained in federal charging documents and have not yet been proven in court.
Okafor Obtained Permanent Resident Status
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Okafor obtained lawful permanent resident status in December 2022.
However, authorities said she was not a U.S. citizen and had not applied for U.S. citizenship.
The alleged first voting activity occurred before she obtained her permanent resident status.
Possible Penalties
Okafor has been charged with unlawfully voting as an alien.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison.
It also provides for up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000.
Authorities said she could also face deportation after completing any sentence imposed.
The final sentence, if there is a conviction, would be determined by a federal district court judge under applicable sentencing laws and guidelines.
Case Heads to Federal Court
Okafor was arrested on Wednesday morning and was expected to appear in federal court in Boston.
The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Authorities Stress That Charges Are Allegations
The federal case is based on allegations contained in the charging documents.
Okafor has not been convicted of the alleged offences.
She remains presumed innocent unless and until she is found guilty in court.
The case is expected to proceed through the U.S. federal court system.
