68-year-old British woman alleges Nigerian husband disappeared after securing UK spouse visa
Abdullateef Fowewe
A 68-year-old British woman, Dawn Ottewell, has alleged that her 31-year-old Nigerian husband, Bright Emokpae, disappeared shortly after moving to the United Kingdom on a spouse visa.
Ottewell, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, told The Sun UK that she met Emokpae on Tinder and Plenty of Fish in 2021, during a period when she was battling loneliness and depression.
According to her account, Emokpae, who is from Edo State, initially introduced himself as “Brian Thomas” before revealing that he was a fashion student from Benin City.
The pair reportedly became close through regular video calls, after which Ottewell travelled to northern Cyprus, where Emokpae was studying on a student visa.
They got married at a registry office in Nicosia on March 22, 2022, with two Turkish friends serving as best man and maid of honour.
After the wedding, Emokpae returned to Nigeria to process his spouse visa.
About a year later, following the approval of the visa, Ottewell travelled to Heathrow Airport to welcome him to Britain.
However, she alleged that their relationship deteriorated after his arrival, claiming that he became distant, frequently requested money and refused to contribute to household expenses while sending money to Nigeria.
Ottewell’s brother, Rory, 72, reportedly helped Emokpae secure employment at a local door manufacturing company.
The couple separated briefly in October 2023 but reconciled six months later after Ottewell received a £63,000 settlement following a botched NHS prolapse operation.
She said she now regrets reconciling with him.
Ottewell recalled that shortly before Christmas 2024, she travelled on a £2,000 Caribbean cruise with her brother.
However, upon her return, she discovered that Emokpae had left their home.
She said he has not returned since and has blocked her on social media.
The woman, who reportedly suffers from heart disease, sciatica, angina and irritable bowel syndrome, said she had been unable to contact her husband for months.
She also suspects that he may be living in Scotland, where she believes he operates an online clothing business.
“He’s done a runner and is refusing to sign the divorce papers because I believe he wants to cling on to his spouse visa,” Ottewell said.
She expressed concern that Emokpae could benefit from her estate if she dies before their divorce is finalised.
“My biggest fear is that I’ll die before this is sorted out and he’ll run off with the money my three children should inherit,” she said.
Ottewell said she had not made a will and feared that her estranged husband could potentially claim some of her possessions, including jewellery, cash and furniture.
She is now seeking assistance from Citizens Advice to locate Emokpae and serve him with divorce papers.
“I feel I’m being used,” she said.
Ottewell added, “I would advise people to be very careful who they marry, especially when the person is from abroad, because a lot of them are just doing it for a visa, and then they disappear.”
