By Prosper Mene
The family of the late Chief Shimite Bello Love, former Special Adviser to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Trade and Export, has urgently appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure justice in the investigation of her alleged murder. Shimite, a prominent public servant and entrepreneur, died under suspicious circumstances on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2025, with allegations pointing to her husband, Pastor David Favour Love, as the prime suspect. The family’s call for federal intervention follows concerns over the Delta State Police Command’s handling of the case, including the reported release of the suspect, who is now allegedly on the run.
Shimite Bello, widely known as “Madam Sabificate,” was found unconscious and foaming at the mouth at her residence in Asaba, according to family sources. Her maid alerted her elder brother, who rushed her to St. Luke’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Initial reports suggested poisoning, prompting the arrest of Pastor David, who was later placed in protective custody after claiming threats from Shimite’s family. However, the Delta State Police Command, led by spokesperson SP Bright Edafe, has maintained that the case is being treated as a natural death pending autopsy results, which were conducted on April 24, 2025, but have yet to be released.
The family, led by Chief Kimashinor Nwakalo-Imu, accuses the Delta Police of conducting a “sloppy and unprofessional” investigation, alleging that the command failed to comply fully with an IGP directive to transfer both the case file and the suspect to the IGP Monitoring Unit in Abuja. While the case file was reportedly sent, Pastor David was released on bail and is now believed to have fled, raising fears of obstruction of justice. “We urge the Delta State Police Command to immediately rearrest Mr. David Favour Love and hand him over to the IGP Monitoring Unit as directed,” Nwakalo-Imu stated, calling for the suspect to be declared wanted if he remains at large.
Shimite’s death has sparked widespread outrage, with family members and activists citing a pattern of alleged domestic violence. Relatives claim Pastor David isolated Shimite, controlled her movements, and even transferred her properties to his name, raising suspicions of manipulation. “Since he came into her life, everything changed,” a family source said, alleging that Shimite’s trust in her husband, whom she described as her “spiritual father,” may have clouded her judgment.
A celebrated figure, Shimite served as the Coordinator of the Delta State UNIDO Centre and was a vocal advocate for the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme. She produced the TV documentary “African Pot,” promoting African cuisine and culture, and was a member of the USAID/NEXTT Lakaji Trade Corridor steering committee. Her death has left a void in Delta State’s political and economic landscape, with colleagues like Harrison Gwamnishu, a fellow governor’s aide, mourning her unfulfilled plans.
As the investigation moves to the federal level, the family has called on human rights organizations and the public to maintain pressure for transparency and accountability. The case’s outcome could set a precedent for addressing gender-based violence in Nigeria, with advocates emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to protect women in abusive relationships. The Delta State Police Command has yet to comment on the family’s latest demands, and the public awaits the autopsy results, which could clarify the cause of Shimite’s tragic death.
