High Court Judge, Justice Riyaz Hamza ordered that the investigating officer handling the case of Nausori Highlands murder convict Mohammed Isoof’s missing Seiko wristwatch conclude investigations within a month.

This is the case of Mohammed Raheesh Isoof, who was charged and convicted of five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Isoof is serving a life sentence at the Natabua Corrections Facility which was handed down on January 21, 2022, at the High Court in Lautoka and is appealing his conviction separately at the Court of Appeal.

The matter was heard at the High Court in Lautoka on Monday and Isoof represented himself while the State was represented by Mohammed Rafiq and Taitusi Tuenuku.

Mr Rafiq told the court that investigations regarding Isoof’s Seiko wristwatch were pending and that the previous investigating officer, Harish notified the State that no Seiko wristwatch was released to him and he did not know the name of the officer who received the respective item.

Isoof told the court that an Inspector Vikash from the Namaka Police Station had taken the Seiko wristwatch from him, and that he stated this in his submissions from June 14, 2022.

He also told the court that Inspector Vikash was in charge of border control and was the officer in charge when his home was searched.

Justice Hamza confirmed that this was stated in his notes and that he was surprised the State did note this down.

Mr Tuenuku told the court he would follow up with Inspector Harish.

Isoof told the court there was another search list dated August 28, 2019, and Mr Tuenuku told the court that if Isoof had this search list, then this could be provided to the State.

Justice Hamza adjourned the matter to June 15 for mention.

Story by: salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj