A 68-year-old British woman, Dawn Ottewell, is seeking to end her marriage to her 31-year-old Nigerian husband, Bright Emokpae, after their relationship reportedly broke down.

Ottewell, who lives in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, told The Sun that she has been unable to locate Emokpae after he allegedly left their home and blocked her on social media. She believes he married her mainly to obtain a UK spouse visa, although Emokpae has denied the allegation.

According to reports, the couple met on a dating app in 2021 and later married at a registry office in Nicosia, Cyprus, in March 2022.

Ottewell claimed that Emokpae initially presented himself under a different name and gave her the impression that he was older and already established professionally. She later discovered that he was a fashion student from Benin City and was in his mid-20s.

Despite the revelation, Ottewell continued with the relationship and travelled to Cyprus, where they met in person for the first time before getting married.

She said the relationship began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she was experiencing loneliness, and that Emokpae initially made her feel appreciated and valued.

Emokpae later moved to the United Kingdom on a spouse visa. However, Ottewell said the marriage became increasingly difficult, alleging that he became emotionally distant and regularly requested financial assistance, including money to send to Nigeria.

Emokpae disputed the claims and reportedly said he contributed financially to the household. He told The Sun that he paid £400 towards his £900 flight to Britain and also contributed to council tax and water bills.

The couple separated in October 2023 but reportedly reconciled about six months later. Around the same period, Ottewell received a £63,000 medical negligence settlement.

She later said she regretted taking Emokpae back because she became suspicious that his renewed interest in the relationship was connected to her financial situation.

The marriage eventually broke down again. Ottewell claimed Emokpae left shortly before Christmas 2024 after discovering messages she had exchanged with other men through dating platforms.

Since then, she said she has been unable to reach him and believes he could be living in Scotland, where he may also be running an online clothing business.

Ottewell further alleged that Emokpae has not completed the divorce process because he wants to maintain his immigration status in the UK. She said Citizens Advice is assisting her in locating him so that divorce documents can be served.

However, Emokpae reportedly maintained that he had already signed the divorce papers, although he did not provide evidence to support the claim when contacted by The Sun.

A Wake-Up Call for Young Nigerians

Beyond this particular marriage, the story raises wider questions about relationships entered into primarily for financial gain or immigration opportunities.

Nigerian parents and older family members also have a role to play in advising young nigeria men about the consequences of entering marriages for money, foreign residency or other material benefits.

There is nothing wrong with a Nigerian marrying a foreigner, regardless of age, when the relationship is genuine and built on mutual love, respect and understanding. But if either partner enters a marriage mainly to exploit the other person’s finances or immigration status, it can eventually leave both sides hurt.

For many Nigerians, stories like this should be a reminder that marriage should not be treated as a shortcut to money or a foreign visa.

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