A 68-year-old British grandmother, Dawn Otewell, has recounted how her 31-year-old Nigerian husband allegedly disappeared after moving to the UK on a spouse visa, leaving her unable to finalise their divorce and worried about her children’s inheritance.

Dawn, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, met Bright Emokpae, from Edo State, on Tinder and Plenty of Fish in 2021. She said Bright initially introduced himself as Brian Thomas, a professional in his 30s, before later admitting that he was actually a fashion student in his mid 20s from Benin, Nigeria.

Despite the deception, Dawn said she fell for his affectionate words and regular video calls. They eventually married at a registry office in Nicosia, Cyprus, on March 22, 2022, after which Bright returned to Nigeria to apply for a UK spouse visa.

According to Dawn, when his visa was approved about a year later, she welcomed him at Heathrow, but their relationship soon deteriorated. She alleged that he became distant, frequently asked her for money, refused to contribute to household expenses and regularly sent funds to Nigeria.

The couple separated in October 2023 but reconciled six months later after Dawn received a £63,000 compensation settlement following a botched medical procedure.

However, she said Bright left shortly after she returned from a £2,000 Caribbean cruise with her brother just before Christmas 2024 and has not returned since.

Dawn said she has not spoken to him for about eight months after he blocked her on social media. She suspects he may now be living in Scotland and running an online clothing business.

“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, who has not made a will, fears Bright could claim her possessions if she dies before the divorce is finalised.

“I feel I’m being used,” she said, adding that she is receiving help from Citizens Advice to locate him and serve the divorce papers.