A 68-year-old British woman, Dawn Otewell, has opened up about her troubled marriage to her 31-year-old Nigerian husband, Bright Emokpae, claiming he disappeared after moving to the United Kingdom on a spouse visa.
Dawn, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said she met Bright on dating platforms Tinder and Plenty of Fish in 2021.
According to her account, Bright initially presented himself as Brian Thomas, a man in his 30s who worked as a professional. She later discovered that he was actually a fashion student from Benin, Edo State, and younger than he had claimed.
Despite the revelation, Dawn said she became emotionally attached to him through their conversations and regular video calls.
The pair eventually got married at a registry office in Nicosia, Cyprus, on March 22, 2022. Bright subsequently returned to Nigeria and applied for a UK spouse visa.
Dawn said she welcomed him when he eventually arrived at Heathrow, but claimed problems soon emerged in their marriage.
She alleged that he became distant, regularly asked her for money, failed to contribute to household expenses and frequently sent money to Nigeria.
The couple separated in October 2023 but later reunited. Dawn said their reconciliation came about six months later, after she received a £63,000 compensation payout following a medical procedure that reportedly went wrong.
However, according to Dawn, the relationship eventually broke down again.
She alleged that Bright left after she returned from a £2,000 Caribbean cruise with her brother shortly before Christmas 2024.
Dawn said she has not spoken to him for about eight months after he blocked her on social media. She suspects he could now be living in Scotland, where she believes he may be running an online clothing business.
Speaking about the situation, Dawn said, “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.”
The British woman said she is also concerned about the implications of remaining legally married because she has not made a will.
According to her, she fears Bright could potentially claim her possessions if she dies before their divorce is completed.
“I feel I’m being used,” she said.
Dawn added that she is now receiving assistance from Citizens Advice as she tries to locate Bright and have the divorce papers formally served on him.
The story has triggered mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians and other social media users debating the circumstances surrounding the marriage.
Reacting, @golden.success.54: “UK no dey play with romance fraud, they go soon catch am😂. He no get patience get his own personal papers😂”
@man.of.value.356102: “The guy smart no be small, e no even stay Abit to enjoy honeymoon with grandma😆😆”
@profile_61591705385319: “Your babe say una be cousin…”
@61576957697300: “Please come carry me. I no go run”
@61590626675100: “Na family problem na, nothing concern us lol”
@nneamaka.augustina.2025: “Una never see anything”
@vincenteffiom: “This is so wrong, he’s been kidnapped or probably lost his way around town , you people should pray for him Biko 😂😂😂”
@best9jaupdate: “If e reach your turn, no run 😂😂”
