A 68-year-old British woman has accused her 31-year-old Nigerian husband of marrying her primarily to obtain a UK visa, a claim he disputes as the couple remain separated and locked in a divorce dispute.
Dawn Ottewell, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said she wants to end her marriage to Bright Emokpae, whom she met through dating apps in 2021.
The couple married at a registry office in Nicosia, Cyprus, on March 22, 2022, before Emokpae later moved to the United Kingdom on a spouse visa.
Ottewell has told The Sun that she now believes her husband was more interested in gaining entry to Britain than building a lasting relationship with her.
However, her claims about his motives remain allegations and have not been independently established.
Ottewell said she met Emokpae through dating apps in 2021, according to her account, he initially introduced himself as Brian Thomas, describing himself as a professional in his 30s.
She later discovered that his name was Bright Emokpae and that he was a fashion student in his mid-20s from Benin City, Nigeria.
Despite the differences she discovered, Ottewell said she decided to forgive him because she had fallen in love.
The couple subsequently married in Cyprus in March 2022.
After their marriage, Emokpae moved to Britain after obtaining a spouse visa, Ottewell said their relationship began experiencing difficulties after his arrival.
She alleged that he became increasingly distant and frequently asked her for money.
She also claimed that she sent money to Nigeria, paid for furniture and regularly covered household expenses.
Emokpae disputed those claims when contacted by The Sun.
He said he contributed £400 towards his £900 flight from Nigeria and also paid council tax and water bills at their home.
Couple Separated and Later Reunited
The couple first separated in October 2023.
They reportedly reunited around six months later, following a £63,000 payout Ottewell received from a medical negligence claim involving a prolapse operation at an NHS hospital.
Ottewell said she later regretted reconciling with Emokpae.
Their relationship eventually broke down again before Christmas 2024.
Why Did the Marriage End?
Ottewell said Emokpae left after discovering messages she had exchanged with other men through dating apps.
She said he subsequently blocked her on social media and that they stopped communicating.
When The Sun published its report, Ottewell said she had not spoken to him for around eight months.
She believes he may now be living in Scotland, where she claimed he had started an online clothing business.
Dispute Over the Divorce
Ottewell also alleged that Emokpae was refusing to cooperate with the divorce because he wanted to retain his spouse visa.
She said she believes he never genuinely loved her and instead wanted to use the relationship as a route to move to Britain.
Ottewell said Citizens Advice is helping her locate Emokpae and serve him with divorce papers.
She also hopes her experience will encourage people to exercise caution when developing relationships with strangers online.
Emokpae Gives a Different Account
Emokpae rejected Ottewell’s version of events when contacted by The Sun.
He said he had signed the divorce papers, although he did not provide evidence of this, according to the report.
His account also differs from Ottewell’s regarding their financial arrangements during the marriage.
The allegations that he married Ottewell specifically to obtain a UK visa remain unproven.
Online Relationships and Immigration Concerns
The dispute highlights some of the complications that can arise when relationships formed online involve international partners, immigration applications and significant financial commitments.
Online dating platforms allow people from different countries to meet and develop relationships, but distance can make it more difficult to verify personal information and circumstances.
Experts and consumer advice organisations generally encourage people to exercise caution before sending money, sharing sensitive information or making major financial and legal commitments to someone they have met online.
A Marriage With Two Different Accounts
Ottewell wants the marriage to end and is continuing efforts to locate her estranged husband and complete the divorce process.
Emokpae, meanwhile, has provided a different account of the relationship and says he has signed the divorce documents.
For now, the central allegation, that the marriage was entered into primarily to secure a UK visa — remains a claim made by Ottewell rather than an independently proven fact.
The case serves as a reminder that international relationships can involve complicated emotional, financial and immigration issues, particularly when a relationship begins online.
