The police in Lagos on Tuesday arraigned a 34-year-old man, who allegedly stole a gold wristwatch from another, beat him to pulp and pushed him inside a gutter on New Year Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police charged Mustapha Jamiu with stealing and assault occasioning harm, before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court.

Jamiu, a resident of No. 76, Bode Thomas St., Surulere, however, pleaded not guilty.

According to the Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, the defendant committed the offences in conspiracy with others still at large, on Jan. 1 at 4:00a.m.

Osayande submitted that Jamiu and the others assaulted Mr Ndukwe Elechi after stealing his gold wristwatch worth N25,000, a Samsung phone worth N70,000, a pair of eye glasses valued at N18,000 and a neck chain worth N28,000.

She said that Elechi sustained injuries on his right hand when the defendant and the others pushed him inside a gutter.

Osayande said that the offences contravenes Sections 273, 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.

Adelaja ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case has been adjourned until March 18 for mention.