A mother accused of murdering her 14-month-old daughter was told by a Fijian imam that the toddler was possessed by an "evil spirit", police say.

Sofina Nikat, 23, was struggling to care for her daughter, Sanaya Sahib, who had become particularly irritable and constantly demanding months before her death, a police summary released by the court on Wednesday said.

Ms Nikat – who had previously separated from Sanaya's father – asked her parents in Fiji for guidance, and they told her an imam they had consulted had "determined [Sanaya] had negative energy and was possessed by an evil spirit", it said.

Ms Nikat received lockets and prayers that she was told she and Sanaya should wear to try to remove this spirit.