Delta Governor’s Adviser, Shimite Bello, Dies Under Troubling Circumstances, Husband Arrested
Shimite Bello Love (née Nwakalo), Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Trade and Export, has died under troubling circumstances that have sparked serious suspicion and controversy.
Shimite reportedly passed away on Easter Sunday after being rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital in Asaba.
Popularly known as Madam Sabificate, Shimite allegedly died of poisoning. Family sources told news men that her husband, Pastor David Favour Love, has been arrested by the police following allegations that he poisoned her.
Witnesses claimed she was foaming at the mouth before her death.
A family member, who requested anonymity, told SaharaReporters that Shimite was in good health just before her death. The source said:
“I spoke with her for over an hour on Saturday. She was vibrant and told me about a meeting she had earlier attended. 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’s alarm was raised when Shimite’s maid called her elder brother, expressing concern that the husband had locked Shimite in the house all day. The source continued:
“Her brother rushed over and found her inside the house with foam already coming out of her mouth. He took her to the hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival. The police were immediately called and arrested her husband.”
Family members allege that Shimite’s husband had isolated her from loved ones and tightly controlled her movements.
“Since he came into her life, he cut everyone off. Her brother couldn’t even visit. He wouldn’t let her go to the office. He was always trailing her. Even the name on all her properties in Abuja and elsewhere was changed to his name. We believe she was manipulated—hypnotised even.
“If she were not hypnotised, which woman with her right senses would do such? What kind of love is that your husband would follow you everywhere you went, and you wouldn’t see anything wrong with that? Your husband would lock you in and not allow you to go to the office?
“Anytime you tell Shimite about certain things, she would tell you, ‘Don’t worry, my husband is a pastor. He’s my spiritual father. He sees everything.’ It’s very unfortunate Shimite had to learn the hard way. How could a special adviser to a governor just die like that?”
Sources close to the family described Pastor David as “overprotective” and “jealous,” and suggested he was intimidated by Shimite’s prominence and beauty. The source added:
“The man had nothing before meeting her. He only came to drain her. It’s heartbreaking.”
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As of press time, he remains in custody while investigations continue.
Meanwhile, Shimite’s body has been deposited in the mortuary as police investigations into her death continue.
Also reacting to the sad news, human rights activist and Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and Youth Mobilisation to the Delta State Governor, Harrison Gwamnishu, has advised people to walk out of abusive marriages.
He stated this while reacting to allegations that Shimite’s husband was allegedly behind her sudden death.
“Information coming in is alleging that Pastor Favour Love is behind her wife’s death and now in police custody. Families are saying she’s been enduring her marriage. Keep resting Shimite,”
Gwamnishu wrote.
Before her death, Shimite was a formidable public servant and entrepreneur. She contested the Oshimili North seat in the 2023 PDP primaries and had served as Executive Secretary of the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
She was also the Group President/CEO of the Quintessential Group, a conglomerate involved in social enterprise, agriculture, and solid minerals.