Governor Godwin Emefiele has resumed work at the Central Bank of Nigeria, according to a statement from his office.

CBN spokesman Osita Nwanisobi said in a statement that Mr Emefiele returned to the country after an extended vacation and has begun preparation for the first monetary policy meeting of the year.

Mr Emefiele “resumed with renewed vigour to perform his duty ahead of the first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the year scheduled for January 23 to 24, 2023,” the CBN said.

Peoples Gazette learnt that Mr Emefiele returned to Nigeria on Sunday night.

The development comes as tensions flared across the country about the fate of Mr Emefiele. The CBN chief has been under threats of arrest by the State Security Service, forcing him to remain abroad for several weeks amidst plans to seek asylum in the United Kingdom or the United States, Peoples Gazette learnt.

He also insisted he won’t return to Nigeria unless he has assurances that he won’t be arrested upon return.

But Mr Emefiele “remains committed to performing the task before him in line with his oath of office and the policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari”. while urging “Nigerians to continue to support the policies of the Bank aimed at ensuring a stable financial system and the Nigerian economy in general,” the statement said.