ADC bars state chapters from handling court cases

African Democratic Congress (ADC) has barred its state chapters and officials from handling any legal matters on behalf of the party, directing that all court processes be forwarded to its National Headquarters in Abuja.

The directive follows reports that some court documents were being served on state chapters and that lawyers were allegedly being engaged to represent the party without the knowledge or approval of its National Legal Adviser.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said only the National Legal Adviser is authorised under the party’s constitution to engage legal practitioners, issue instructions, file court processes, or represent the party in any legal proceedings.

The party instructed all state chapters, state legal advisers, executive committee members and other officials not to receive, acknowledge or take custody of court documents served through state offices. Instead, such processes are to be referred immediately to the National Legal Adviser at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

It added that where court documents are served through substituted means in line with a court order, they should be transmitted electronically to the National Legal Adviser without delay.

The ADC also warned that any state official or chapter that engages lawyers or handles legal matters without express written approval from the National Legal Adviser risks disciplinary action under the party’s constitution.

The party directed all state chapters to circulate the directive to relevant officers and members for immediate compliance.