Nigeria, Sept. 20 -- The trial of Gibril Massaquoi has continued to focus on the central explosive question of whether the defendant escaped UN witness protection in Freetown in June-August 2003 to commit war crimes in neighboring Liberia.

Massaquoi was under witness protection for his role informing on ex-combatants in Sierra Leone's civil war for the post-war justice tribunals held in the country including the Special Court for Sierra Leone which convicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes.

Massaquoi's lawyers have argued that he could not have violated or abused the freedom given him by the court because he was busy helping the court with information that led to Taylor's conviction and sentencing.

The first wit...