A 68-year-old British woman, Dawn Otewell, has opened up about her troubled marriage to her 31-year-old Nigerian husband, Bright Emokpae, who she alleges disappeared after moving to the United Kingdom on a spouse visa.

Dawn, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said Bright left their home after their relationship broke down and has since blocked her on social media, leaving her struggling to finalise their divorce.

She also fears that her estranged husband could potentially have a claim over her possessions if she dies before the marriage is legally dissolved.

They Met On Dating Apps

Dawn said she met Bright, who is from Edo State, Nigeria, on Tinder and Plenty of Fish in 2021.

According to her, Bright initially introduced himself as “Brian Thomas” and claimed to be a professional in his 30s.

She later discovered that his real name was Bright Emokpae and that he was actually a fashion student in his mid-20s from Benin, Nigeria.

Despite the revelation, Dawn said she had already developed strong feelings for him because of his affectionate messages and frequent video calls.

Couple Married In Cyprus

The pair eventually travelled to Cyprus, where they got married at a registry office in Nicosia on March 22, 2022.

Following the wedding, Bright returned to Nigeria to apply for a UK spouse visa.

Dawn said she welcomed him at Heathrow when his visa was eventually approved about a year later.

However, she alleged that their relationship began deteriorating shortly after he arrived in Britain.

‘He Kept Asking Me For Money’

Dawn claimed that Bright became increasingly distant and frequently asked her for money.

She also alleged that he refused to contribute to household expenses while regularly sending money to Nigeria.

The couple eventually separated in October 2023.

However, they reconciled about six months later after Dawn received a £63,000 compensation settlement following what she described as a botched medical procedure.

Husband Allegedly Disappeared After Caribbean Cruise

Dawn said the relationship eventually broke down again after she returned from a £2,000 Caribbean cruise with her brother shortly before Christmas 2024.

According to her, Bright left soon afterwards and has not returned.

She said she has not spoken to him for about eight months and that he has blocked her on social media.

Dawn suspects that her estranged husband may now be living in Scotland, where she believes he could be running an online clothing business.

‘He’s Done A Runner’

Speaking about the situation, Dawn said she believes Bright is deliberately avoiding her because of the ongoing divorce proceedings.

“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,” she said.

Dawn also expressed concerns about what could happen to her belongings if she dies before the divorce is finalised.

Woman Fears For Her Inheritance

Dawn said she has not made a will and is worried that Bright could potentially benefit from her estate if she dies while they remain legally married.

“I feel I’m being used,” she said.

She added that she is receiving assistance from Citizens Advice as she attempts to locate Bright and serve him with the divorce papers.

The case highlights the difficulties that can arise when marriages break down while immigration and legal issues remain unresolved.