Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The man who raped and killed Obaida Al Aqrabawi, 8, has told an appeals court that Allah is his lawyer.

Nidal Abu Ali made the statement after asking the court about his new defence lawyer and saying he did not choose him.

The court expected a mental health report from a medical committee but it was not provided during the hearing. The judge adjourned the case until November 27 and ordered prosecutors to have the report by then.


Jordanian Obaida was kidnapped on May 20 while playing outside his father’s garage in Sharjah’s industrial area. His body was found two days later in Al Warqa, Dubai.

Abu Ali, 48, also Jordanian, admitted he had drunk excessive amounts of alcohol that day and killed the boy, but he denied sexual assault and kidnapping.

He was sentenced to death by Dubai Criminal Court on August 15 for kidnap, rape and premeditated murder. He was also found guilty of drinking alcohol without a licence and driving under the influence.


Abu Ali had claimed during his trial that he suffered from mental illness but the court dismissed it as it was not supported by documents.

Dubai Court of Appeal ordered an evaluation.

*The National