ADC bars State chapters from engaging lawyers, receiving court processes

By Precious Mark

The national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has barred its state chapters and regional executives from accepting court processes or engaging legal practitioners without explicit clearance from the national headquarters.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known in an official statement issued on Wednesday, following reports that various legal documents involving the party were being served directly to state offices.

According to the party’s leadership, some state chapters have gone as far as hiring independent legal counsel to represent the political platform without the knowledge, consent, or authority of the National Legal Adviser.

The ADC clarified that its constitution vests the exclusive authority to issue letters of instruction to any legal practitioner strictly in the office of the National Legal Adviser.

“Members and officers of the Party are further reminded that no State Chapter, State Legal Adviser, State Executive Committee member, or any other state-level officer has the authority to engage counsel, issue instructions, file processes, enter appearances, concede claims, compromise proceedings, or otherwise represent the legal position of the Party without the express written authority of the National Legal Adviser,” the statement warned.

The opposition party also directed all state chapters, local secretariats, and state legal advisors to refuse service or custody of any legal process targeted at the national body, maintaining that any such service will not be treated as valid under the law.

The statement instructed that all court documents, including those served via substituted means, must be immediately transferred or electronically transmitted to the party’s national headquarters in Abuja for appropriate action.

The ADC further warned that any unauthorized handling of legal matters or engagement of outside counsel by state actors would be treated as a major constitutional breach, exposing the affected officers or chapters to severe internal disciplinary measures.