Nigerian Woman Living in Massachusetts Charged With Illegally Voting

A 56-year-old Nigerian woman who built a life for herself in Lynn, Massachusetts, now faces federal charges after prosecutors accused her of voting in two American elections despite never becoming a United States of America citizen.

Gladys Adaeze Okafor, born in Aba, Nigeria, obtained lawful permanent resident status in December 2022, but the alleged voting offences date back even earlier.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said in a statement Wednesday that she was arrested that morning and expected to appear in federal court in Boston later the same day.

“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,” the statement said.

According to charging documents, Okafor first submitted a voter registration card in July 2022, months before her permanent residency was granted.

‘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,’ the office said.

Authorities allege she registered the following year again, once more declaring herself a citizen.

‘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 statement said.

If convicted, Okafor faces up to a year in prison, a year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000, penalties that could also affect her ability to remain in the country.

‘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 said.

The case was announced by US Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, and is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit.

It forms part of a broader crackdown on fraud in the state.

‘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 said, adding that the Department of Justice had followed with its own national effort: ‘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.’

The office noted that Okafor, like anyone facing charges, remains presumed innocent.

‘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,’ it said.