Nigeria, March 11 -- The 4,400 miles between France and Liberia closed on Friday when present day news from Liberia made it into the appeal hearing here of convicted war criminal Kunti Kamara.

Court President (chief judge) Jean Marc Lavergne used the testimony of Alain Werner, director of the Switzerland-based justice advocates Civitas Maxima, to ask about this week's passage of a bill to establish a war and economics crimes court through the Liberian legislature.

Mr Werner updated the court on the passage of the bill through the lower house and the plans for a court.

He underscored why, he said, he believes a court in Liberia is essential for justice. Mr Werner quoted Alieu Kosiah, the former Ulimo commander, who Mr Werner helped conv...