ABUJA, Nigeria — David Favour, husband of the late Shimite Winifred Love, a special adviser to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has denied allegations linking him to her death, insisting that autopsy and toxicology reports have cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, September 6, 2025, Favour described his late wife as his “best friend” of more than two decades and dismissed claims that their marriage was illegitimate.
He said the union was legally contracted and duly witnessed by her immediate younger brother.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed in April that Favour had reported threats to his life from his wife’s family, who accused him of being responsible for her death.
Favour presented an autopsy report signed on May 22, 2025, by Dr. Michael Emeka Chiemeka, a consultant anatomic pathologist, which attributed Shimite’s death to acute left ventricular failure and hypertensive heart disease, with aspiration pneumonitis identified as a contributing factor.
Toxicology results also indicated elevated levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin 18, markers associated with sepsis and kidney injury.
“My wife did not die by my hand. I didn’t kill my wife,” Favour said.
“The justice system of Nigeria should not be compromised. Government entities, families, and law enforcement must respect the laws of marriage acts.”
Favour accused his wife’s stepbrother of sowing divisions within the family by attempting to dictate her marital choices.
He also alleged that members of her extended family, with backing from “personalities in Delta State government,” conducted her burial without his consent and buried her under the name of her ex-husband.
“They didn’t just bury her illegally, they buried her with the name of her ex-husband,” he said.
The cleric further criticised the Inspector-General of Police’s monitoring unit, accusing it of “compromise and unprofessionalism” in handling the case.
He claimed the unit acted illegally by releasing his wife’s body and withholding her mobile phone, and called for disciplinary action.
Favour also said some neighbours had colluded with his wife’s foster child to deny him access to their home and belongings.
He vowed to pursue legal action against bloggers and media outlets that had accused him of domestic violence.
While acknowledging that the couple had faced what he termed “spiritual battles,” he declined to provide details.
Despite the controversy, Favour commended the Delta State Police Command for what he described as its professionalism, while insisting that he will continue to seek justice.
