By Precious D. Freeman
A Liberian-born American pilot, Abner Yonly is currently facing legal troubles after failing to pay US$1,500 to Jallah B. Kollie, for damages and assault stemming from an altercation earlier this year.
Yonly, who recently made headlines for becoming the first Liberian to complete a solo transatlantic flight in a single-engine aircraft, is now reportedly on the run after defaulting on a court-ordered payment.
On May 28, 2024, the Monrovia City Court issued a writ for Yonly’s arrest following charges of Simple Assault, Criminal Mischief, and Menacing, as outlined in the new Penal Law of Liberia.
The charges stemmed from an incident on February 17, 2024, when Yonly allegedly assaulted Kollie and damaged his property, including a Samsung phone and vehicle parts, resulting in total damages of approximately US$920.
Court documents detail that during a confrontation in the streets of Monrovia, Yonly physically assaulted Kollie after a dispute over road space.
Kollie claims that Yonly threatened him, and the confrontation escalated to violence. The altercation ended with Yonly allegedly using his vehicle to push Kollie’s car, causing further damage.
After initially appearing in court on July 5, 2024, both parties agreed to resolve the matter through a conference.
Yonly initially agreed to pay US$1,500 but later negotiated the amount down to US$920, which the court accepted.
However, since the agreement, Yonly has failed to make any payments and has skipped multiple court appearances, raising concerns of potential contempt charges.
Reports indicate that Yonly has been making excuses to the court and has been elusive since the agreement was reached.
As a result, another conference has been scheduled for this coming Friday, with hopes that he will finally appear.
Kollie’s complaint elaborates on the events leading to the assault, detailing how Yonly became aggressive during a traffic dispute and subsequently attacked him.
The case has drawn significant attention, particularly given Yonly’s recent achievement in aviation, including a remarkable journey that took him from the United States to Liberia.
As of now, it remains unclear whether Yonly is still in Liberia or has left the country, and his failure to address the charges could lead to serious legal repercussions.
The upcoming court conference will determine the next steps in this unfolding situation.
