British Woman Accuses Nigerian Husband of Visa Fraud

Dawn Ottewell, a 68-year-old woman from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has accused her 31-year-old Nigerian husband, Bright Emokpae, of marrying her to obtain a spouse visa to live in the UK. The couple, who have a 37-year age gap, met through dating apps in 2021 and married at a registry office in Nicosia, Cyprus, on March 22, 2022.

Ottewell claims that after Emokpae moved to Britain on a spouse visa, their relationship deteriorated, with Emokpae becoming distant and making financial demands. Ottewell alleges she covered most household expenses and that Emokpae contributed minimally.

The couple initially separated in October 2023 but reconciled after Ottewell received a £63,000 payout from a medical negligence claim. Their relationship broke down again when Emokpae left shortly before Christmas 2024 after discovering messages Ottewell exchanged with other men.

Ottewell has not been able to contact Emokpae since he blocked her on social media and believes he is avoiding signing divorce papers to retain his spouse visa.