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A 56-year-old Nigerian woman living in Massachusetts, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, has been arrested by US federal authorities over allegations that she falsely declared herself an American citizen.
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Federal prosecutors allege that Okafor first registered as a voter in July 2022, months before she obtained lawful permanent resident status.
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Prosecutors further allege that she repeated the citizenship declaration in a second voter-registration application in October 2023 and subsequently voted in the 2024 presidential primary, despite not being a US citizen.
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If convicted, Okafor faces a maximum of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000, while her immigration status could also expose her to deportation after any sentence imposed.
September 17, (THEWILL) – A 56-year-old Nigerian woman residing in Massachusetts, United States, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, has been arrested and charged by federal authorities over allegations that she falsely claimed American citizenship and unlawfully voted in US elections.
The US Department of Justice announced the case on Wednesday, September 16, saying Okafor, who lives in Lynn, Massachusetts, was charged with unlawfully voting as a non-citizen.
According to the charging documents, Okafor was born in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, and remains a Nigerian citizen. Prosecutors said she obtained lawful permanent resident status in the United States in December 2022 but is not a US citizen.
The allegations against her began months before she obtained permanent residency.
Federal prosecutors allege that Okafor registered to vote in July 2022 in Lynn, Massachusetts.
During the registration process, she allegedly signed a declaration affirming that she was a US citizen and acknowledging that the declaration was made under penalty of perjury. She was subsequently registered as a voter.
Prosecutors allege that Okafor then used the registration to vote in the 2022 US midterm elections.
The alleged conduct did not end with the 2022 election.
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According to the federal case, Okafor submitted another voter-registration application in October 2023.
“Once again, she allegedly indicated on the form that she was a US citizen and signed the relevant certification,” prosecutors said, adding that Okafor subsequently voted in the 2024 presidential primary election.
US Law Bars Non-Citizens From Federal Voting
US federal law generally prohibits non-citizens from voting in elections for federal offices, including the presidency, US Senate and House of Representatives.
Lawful permanent residents, commonly referred to as green-card holders, are not automatically entitled to vote in federal elections. They must separately obtain US citizenship before becoming eligible to participate in federal elections.
Prosecutors said Okafor registered in July 2022, while records indicate that she did not obtain lawful permanent resident status until December 2022.
Following her arrest, she is expected to appear before a federal court in Boston as the case proceeds.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000.
Because Okafor is not a US citizen, a conviction could also have immigration consequences. Depending on the outcome of the case and any sentence imposed, she could face deportation from the United States after completing her sentence.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant US Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
