Justice Emeka Nwite found that the medical report, attached to Bello’s application was not signed by its maker as required.

Justice Nwite noted that the report, marked as Exhibit B, which was the medical report provided by a doctor, was not signed by its maker, and as such, could not be accorded any probative value.

The judge stressed that an unsigned document carries no weight in law and therefore, considered worthless.

He said, “In other words, Exhibit B is devoid of probative value and cannot be relied upon by the court.

“The defendant has failed to place sufficient materials before this court for his passport to be released for him to travel. Consequently, this application is hereby refused.”

The judge faulted the argument by the prosecution that the application constituted an abuse of court process.

He noted that Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu had argued among others, that his client was a known hypertensive patient for about 15 years.

On the prosecution’s argument that Bello’s sureties were not involved in the defendant’s application, noting that the case was only between the prosecution and the defence.