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A 68-year-old British woman, Dawn Ottewell, has accused her 31-year-old Nigerian husband, Bright Emokpae, of marrying her primarily to obtain a spouse visa in the UK.
Ottewell, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, told British newspaper The Sun that she is seeking a divorce from Emokpae, who she claims left their home and later blocked her on social media.
The couple, who have a 37-year age gap, reportedly met via dating apps in 2021 before getting married at a registry office in Nicosia, Cyprus, on March 22, 2022.
How they met
Ottewell said Emokpae initially introduced himself as a professional in his 30s named Brian Thomas.
She later found out that he was a fashion student in his twenties from Benin City, Edo State.
Despite the revelation, Ottewell said she forgave him and traveled to Cyprus in March 2022, where the couple physically met for the first time before getting married.
“I know I was silly, but I was in love,” she said.
Ottewell said she experienced loneliness and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic and was unemployed while dealing with several health issues.
She said her circumstances made her vulnerable to the relationship, adding that Emokpae made her feel “special and alive.”
The relationship deteriorates
According to Ottewell, Emokpae later moved to Britain after obtaining a spouse visa, but their marriage became troubled.
She said he became increasingly distant and frequently asked her for money, including funds she said had been sent to Nigeria.
Ottewell also accused him of failing to adequately contribute to household expenses.
“I got new furniture and he didn’t put a dime into it. When we went out to dinner, I was usually the one picking up the bill,” she said.
However, Emokpae denied the allegation, telling the Sun he contributed £400 towards his £900 flight from Nigeria and paid council tax and water bills at their shared residence.
Reconciliation after payment of £63,000
The couple reportedly separated in October 2023 but reunited around six months later, after Ottewell received £63,000 compensation following a medical negligence claim linked to a prolapse operation at an NHS hospital.
Ottewell said she later regretted reconciling with Emokpae because she believed he was more interested in her money than their relationship.
The marriage eventually deteriorated again, with Ottewell saying Emokpae left just before Christmas 2024 after discovering messages she had exchanged with other men on dating apps.
She said she had not spoken to him since he blocked her on social media about eight months before The Sun published its report.
The woman asks for divorce
Ottewell said Emokpae refused to cooperate with the divorce because she wanted to keep her spouse’s visa.
“He’s gone on a run and is refusing to sign the divorce papers because I think he wants to hang on to his spouse’s visa,” she said.
He also said Emokpae may be living in Scotland, where he believed he had started an online clothing business.
“I am convinced he was never in love with me and just wanted a visa to move to England,” Ottewell said.
“And it is because of her beloved bridal visa that she will not accept a divorce.”
Ottewell said he had sought assistance from Citizens Advice in his efforts to locate Emokpae and provide him with divorce papers.
“I just want him out of my life forever,” she said.
“I also want people to know that if this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
Contacted by the Sun, Emokpae said he had already signed the divorce papers but had not provided evidence to support the request.
