A 68-year-old British woman has spoken out after her Nigerian husband, who is 36 years younger than her, allegedly disappeared after moving to the United Kingdom, leaving her struggling to locate him and proceed with their divorce.
Dawn Otewell, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said she met the Nigerian man, Bright Emokpae, originally from Edo State, Nigeria, through a dating app in 2021. At the time, Dawn said she was lonely and depressed, while Bright made her feel loved and appreciated despite their significant age difference.
The couple eventually married in Cyprus in March 2022. However, their relationship later became strained, and Dawn now wants to formally end the marriage.
How Dawn met Bright
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Dawn said she first encountered the Nigerian man, Bright through Tinder and Plenty of Fish. She initially believed he was a man in his thirties named Brian Thomas, but after their conversations moved to WhatsApp, he admitted that he was actually a fashion student in his mid-20s from Benin, Nigeria.
Although she regarded the lies about his name and age as warning signs, Dawn said she had already developed strong feelings for him.
In March 2022, about eight months after they first began communicating, she travelled to northern Cyprus, where Bright was living on a student visa.
“I know I was a fool, but I was in love,” Dawn said.
She recalled that Bright frequently complimented her and made her feel attractive and valued.
“He made me feel special and alive,” she said, adding that he told her she made his heart go “boom boom.”
The couple married at a registry office in Nicosia on March 22, 2022. Their wedding certificate recorded Bright as a 27-year-old student and Dawn as a 64-year-old single housewife.
Problems after moving to Britain
After their wedding, Dawn returned to Britain while Bright returned to Nigeria to work on obtaining a spouse visa, More information about UK family and spouse visas is available from the UK Government.
About a year later, the visa was granted, and Dawn travelled to Heathrow Airport to welcome her husband to the UK.
She said their relationship began deteriorating after he arrived.
Dawn’s brother, Rory, helped Bright find employment at a manufacturing company, but Dawn claims her husband became increasingly distant and made frequent financial demands.
She also alleged that Bright sent significant amounts of money to Nigeria and contributed little toward household expenses.
According to Dawn, the couple eventually separated in October 2023.
They later reconciled about six months afterward, following Dawn receiving a £63,000 payout after a medical negligence settlement.
Looking back, Dawn now believes she may have made a mistake by restarting the relationship.
“I should have worried he was only after my money when we got back together,” she said.
However, she acknowledged that loneliness also influenced her decision to give the relationship another chance.
Marriage breaks down again
The relationship reportedly remained troubled.
In December 2024, Dawn travelled on a £2,000 Caribbean cruise with her brother. She said Bright became angry that she had spent the money on the trip instead of using it to help him settle debts.
After she returned home, Dawn said Bright left and did not return.
She claims she has since been unable to locate him and that he has blocked her on social media.
Dawn believes he may now be living somewhere in Scotland, where she says he appears to have started an online clothing business.
She also suspects that his immigration status may be one reason he has been reluctant to proceed with the divorce. However, this is Dawn’s belief and has not been independently established.
Concern over her children’s inheritance
Dawn, who is a grandmother of seven, said her biggest concern is what could happen to her assets if she dies before the marriage is legally dissolved.
She said she has heart disease and other health problems and worries that Bright could potentially have rights connected to her estate because they remain legally married.
Dawn has not written a will and fears that her jewellery, cash, furniture and other possessions could become part of a legal dispute.
“My biggest fear is that I die before this is sorted out and he’ll run off with the money my three children should inherit,” she said.
She is now seeking assistance from Citizens Advice as she attempts to establish Bright’s whereabouts and serve him with divorce documents.
Dawn’s warning to others
Dawn said she feels that she was used and wishes she had paid more attention to the warning signs at the beginning of the relationship.
She believes Bright may have had motives connected to obtaining permission to remain in Britain, although that allegation has not been proven.
“I’m convinced he was never in love with me and just wanted a visa to move to England,” she said.
Bright has not publicly responded to Dawn’s allegations in the account provided.
Dawn said her experience has taught her to be more cautious when entering relationships, particularly when there are significant differences in age, financial circumstances or immigration status.
“I feel I’m being used,” she said.
For now, Dawn’s immediate priority is locating her estranged husband, completing the divorce process and ensuring that her wishes regarding her property and inheritance are legally protected.
Her story highlights the complications that can arise when relationships break down while couples remain legally married, particularly where immigration and financial concerns are involved.
