Former Director of Legal Affairs of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba, says the release of former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was the “logical conclusion” following her acquittal and discharge by the Court of Appeal.

According to Mr Amaliba, there was little surprise about Ms Tamakloe-Attionu’s release because the appellate court’s decision effectively cleared the way for her to regain her freedom.

Speaking on Joy FM's Top Story on Wednesday, August 12, Mr Amaliba said the normal legal process following an acquittal and discharge meant Ms Tamakloe-Attionu could walk free once the relevant period had elapsed.

“That is the logical conclusion once the court said she was acquitted and discharged. Normally, there is a seven-day statutory stay of execution. After seven days, she can go home and walk free. So I didn’t expect anything apart from that.”

His comments come after the Attorney-General withdrew an application seeking to stay the execution of the Court of Appeal’s judgment, paving the way for Ms Tamakloe-Attionu’s release from custody.

Mr Amaliba said the Attorney-General’s decision to withdraw the application could have been informed by a review of the appellate court’s judgment.

He explained that the initial decision to seek a stay was taken at a time when the Attorney-General’s Office had not yet fully reviewed the judgment.

“I can only hazard a guess,” he said, suggesting that after examining the judgment, the Attorney-General may have concluded that there were insufficient grounds to pursue the matter further.

Mr Amaliba also defended the government against claims by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the release vindicated its earlier accusations of political interference.

He argued that once an independent court had acquitted and discharged Ms Tamakloe-Attionu, the government could not simply prevent her release.

“If the Supreme Court that he says he respects hadn't acquitted and discharged the lady, even if we as a party wanted to do it, how could we have done it?” he asked.

He maintained that the Court of Appeal’s decision must be respected as an independent judicial determination and should not be interpreted as evidence that the government had deliberately sought to keep Ms Tamakloe-Attionu in prison.