NEWS
68-year-old Briton accuses Nigerian husband of marrying her for UK visa, seeks divorce
A 68-year-old British woman, Dawn Ottewell, has said she is struggling to locate her Nigerian husband, Bright Emokpae, 31, whom she married in 2022.
Ottewell, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, told the UK-based newspaper, The Sun, that she wanted to divorce Emokpae, whom she accused of leaving their home and blocking her on social media.
As reported by The Sun on Monday, the couple, who have a 37-year age difference, met on dating apps in 2021 before marrying at a registry office in Nicosia, Cyprus, on March 22, 2022.
Ottewell said Emokpae initially told her that he was a professional in his 30s named Brian Thomas, but later disclosed that he was a fashion student in his mid-20s from Benin City, Nigeria.
She said she forgave him and eventually travelled to Cyprus in March 2022, where they met in person for the first time and got married.
“I know I was a fool, but I was in love,” Ottewell said.
“I was so lonely and depressed during the pandemic. I was out-of-work with several health issues. I was on Universal Credit and living with my daughter Kirsty, 33, who had a 14-month-old baby, but we were arguing all the time.
“When I met Bright, he made me feel special and alive.”
According to Ottewell, Emokpae later moved to Britain after obtaining a spouse visa, but their relationship deteriorated.
She alleged that he became distant and made frequent financial demands, including sending money to Nigeria.
“I got all-new furniture, and he didn’t put a penny towards it. When we went out for dinner, it was usually me picking up the bill,” she said.
The Sun reported that Emokpae denied the allegation, saying he contributed £400 towards his £900 flight from Nigeria and paid the council tax and water bills at their shared home.
The couple separated in October 2023 but reunited six months later after Ottewell received a £63,000 payout following a medical negligence claim related to a prolapse operation at an NHS hospital, according to The Sun.
Ottewell said she later regretted reconciling with him, alleging that he was interested in her money.
The relationship subsequently deteriorated again, and she said Emokpae left shortly before Christmas 2024 after finding messages she had exchanged with other men on dating apps.
Ottewell said she had not spoken to him since he blocked her on social media about eight months before The Sun’s report was published.
“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.
She also alleged that Emokpae could be living in Scotland, where she claimed he had started an online clothing business.
“I’m convinced he was never in love with me and just wanted a visa to move to England,” Ottewell said.
“And it’s because of his cherished spouse visa that he won’t agree to a divorce.”
Ottewell said she was receiving assistance from Citizens Advice as she tried to locate him and serve him with divorce papers.
“I just want him out of my life for good,” she said.
“I also want people to know that if this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
When approached by The Sun, Emokpae said he had signed the divorce papers but declined to provide evidence to support his claim.
NEWS
Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, a grassroot leader and stunch member of Labour party; bids farewell to Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh.
The former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State 7th House of Assembly, and the representative of Ohafia North State Constituency at the current 8th House, Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, has once again shown his love for his people, friends and constituents, as he identifies with the family of Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh, who was laid to rest yesterday, 1st October 2026 in his hometown, Abiriba.
The presence of the House member during the wake-keep on 30th September, turned the event to a mini carnival as the youths of Abiriba troopped out from all corners of Abiriba community that night to be with their leader who is always at home with his people and to identify with one of their leaders Chief John Okiyi Kalu, whose Uncle was being buried.
During a condolence visit to the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in his country home, the House member and Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, took time to console and pray for the entire family.
In his speech, Mandela expressed his sympathy over the demise of Chief Maxwell, who he described as a perfect gentleman and a true son of Abiriba Kingdom. He enjoined the family to carry on with his legacies, and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Responding on behalf of the family, the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, thanked the house member for finding time to be with the family in their time of grief all through the wake keep and the funeral service proper. He described him as a trusted representative of the people who stands with his people at all times. Furthermore, he thanked the Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, who coincidentally is of same age grade with him, for finding time to come and for his prayers.
The house member was accompanied by some leaders and members of Labour party, his legislative aide, and some of his children.
NEWS
Abia Governor Otti Declares Support for Labour Party Presidential Candidate Ahead of 2027, Says Tinubu Has His Support for Now
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has declared support for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, while stating that President Bola Tinubu currently has his support.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV aired on Friday, Otti said he would back his party’s nominee.
“I have a presidential candidate and it is expected that I support my candidate,” the governor stated.
Otti noted that Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has the constitutional right to seek re-election and that no one can stop him.
“He (Tinubu) has the right to run and nobody can stop him. But I’m in the Labour Party and for now, he has my support,” Otti said.
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election is Dr. Sunday Chibuzo Okereke.
NEWS
Police identify officer in viral video insulting NDC presidential candidate, saying ‘Igbos can never be president’
The Lagos State Police Command has identified and arrested its officer who appeared in a viral video making inappropriate remarks about NDC presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Igbos while travelling on public transport.

The officer has been identified as Insp. Osumah Frank.
Frank was filmed saying that Peter Obi or any Igbo person can never become President of Nigeria.
In a statement released today, September 25, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola, said the command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with the established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.
Abimbola stated that the remarks made by the officer were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the position, views or official disposition of the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, has reiterated that all personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times.
He further reaffirmed that wearing the Police uniform comes with the responsibility to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Force, adding that the command will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the Police.
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