Nigerian national indicted for illegally voting in U.S elections, false citizenship claim

A federal grand jury in Topeka, Kansas City, returned an indictment charging a 67-year-old Nigerian national, George Olawunmi Johnson, with falsely claiming to be a United States citizen to illegally vote in elections. 

Homeland Security Investigations arrested Johnson on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. 

The United States Department of Justice confirmed the indictment in a statement on Wednesday. 

According to court documents, Johnson, who was residing in Olathe, Kansas, is charged with one count of false claim to United States citizenship, one count of false claim to United States citizenship in order to vote, one count of fraudulent election conduct, and one count of voting by an alien in a federal election.

Johnson is accused of falsely indicating that he is a U.S. citizen while registering to vote in February 2010 in Johnson County, Kansas. 

In November 2024, Johnson allegedly cast a ballot in Kansas that included candidates for the offices of U.S. President, Vice President, Senate, and House of Representatives after falsely certifying that he was eligible to vote as a U.S. citizen when he is in fact a permanent resident. 

Johnson made his initial court appearance September 23, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case.

The HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“American elections are for American citizens. @HSIKansasCity arrested George Olawunmi Johnson, of Nigeria, September 23 for crimes related to election fraud. He’s accused of violating federal law regarding voting by aliens and false claims of U.S. citizenship, both felony charges,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement.