The sudden death of Shimite Love, a special adviser to the governor of Delta State, has opened a window into a painful family dispute, with her husband, Dr. David Love, publicly pushing back against allegations that he was responsible for her demise.
Mrs. Love, a prominent figure in the state government, reportedly died on Easter Sunday after being rushed to a hospital. While initial reports from the police confirmed an investigation was underway, rumors quickly spread that her death was the result of a domestic dispute. These rumors culminated in accusations from her family that Dr. Love had physically assaulted or poisoned her.
A Husband’s Defense
In a press conference held in Abuja, Dr. Love presented what he called “concrete truth” about his wife’s passing. Reading from a prepared statement, he detailed the events leading up to her death, stating that she had complained of chest and stomach pains. According to Dr. Love, a pharmacist treated her at home, but her condition worsened, and she passed away at the hospital in the early hours of April 21, 2025.
Dr. Love asserted that he was “wrongly accused” and unfairly targeted by his in-laws. He claimed to have been physically assaulted by some of them and detained for five days by a special police unit. He said an autopsy and toxicology report had exonerated him, revealing that his wife’s death was a result of long-standing hypertension, not foul play.
“Some members of the family of my precious late wife launched an attack on my person… to portray me as the person who killed her,” Dr. Love said, adding that their actions were “contrary to the autopsy and toxicology results which ruled out foul play.”
A Family’s Quest for Justice
Despite the husband’s claims, Mrs. Love’s family has intensified its calls for a thorough investigation. At a separate press conference, the head of the family, Chief Kimashinor Nwakalo-Imu, appealed to the Inspector General of Police to transfer the case to Abuja. He accused the Delta State Police Command of a “sloppy and unprofessional investigation,” particularly for refusing to fully comply with a federal directive to transfer the case and the suspect, Dr. Love, to the IGP Monitoring Unit.
The family has stated that regardless of the autopsy results, they are seeking a case of “criminal negligence,” arguing that the matter goes beyond a private family dispute. They have urged the police to rearrest Dr. Love and hold him accountable for his actions.
As the two sides remain at odds, the case has become a subject of public scrutiny, revealing a deeply personal and legal battle over the tragic death of a public official. Dr. Love has also made a personal appeal for the return of his four-year-old daughter, who he alleges is being held by his in-laws. The police have not yet commented on the family’s latest request for intervention.
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