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Summary
Pastor David Favour Love has been remanded for poisoning and murdering his wife, Shimite Bello, a senior aide to the Delta State governor. Journalist Kiki Mordi has reported a pattern of financial and emotional abuse leading up to the murder.
Following the reported murder of Chief Ms. Shimite Bello, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Export, her husband, “Pastor” David Favour Love, has been remanded for poisoning his wife after an incident on Apr. 20, 2025.
The Guardian reported that the incident occurred at their residence in Asaba, Delta State, where a quarrel between the couple reportedly turned fatal. Shimite was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital after being found foaming at the mouth, but doctors confirmed her dead on arrival.
A family member who requested anonymity told the Guardian,
“I spoke with her for over an hour on Saturday. Nothing was wrong with her. On Sunday, I sent her Easter messages, but she didn’t reply, which was unusual.”
According to the source, the family was alerted by Shimite’s maid, who informed her elder brother that the husband had locked her in the house. Her brother found her in critical condition and immediately sought medical help.
The case has prompted widespread public condemnation, with feminist and investigative journalist Kiki Mordi leading the charge online.
“This man @FavourGem is responsible for isolating Shimite from her family in just one year, stealing from her, transferring ownership of her properties to himself,” she wrote. “Just a few days ago, she was asking for a list of her assets; today she’s dead.”
In another tweet, Mordi confirmed the arrest of the suspect, stating, “@davidfavourlove has been remanded in custody for poisoning his wife and locking her daughter in with her dying mother. Another femicide statistic. Another woman was killed at the hands of her husband. One day, enough will be enough.”
In Nigeria, male violence against women has been highly recorded. Between 2019 and July 2024, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Ms Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, revealed that the Agency has recorded 24,965 cases. According to a data report in the first quarter of 2025 by DOHS Foundation, it has also been revealed that people killed most femicide victims in Nigeria, they knew intimately —boyfriends, partners, even family members.
“These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a deep, systemic crisis,” they said.
Local authorities have yet to release a formal statement, but sources confirm that Pastor David Favour Love is currently in custody pending investigation.
