ADC bars state chapters from handling court cases 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has directed all its state chapters to stop receiving court documents or hiring lawyers on behalf of the party without approval from its national leadership.

The directive, issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, requires every state chapter to forward any court process served on the party to the National Legal Adviser at the ADC national headquarters in Abuja.

The move comes as political activities and legal disputes increase ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the party, it has received reports that some court documents were being served on state chapters, while lawyers were allegedly engaged to represent the party without the knowledge or approval of its National Legal Adviser.

“The attention of the African Democratic Congress has been drawn to reports that court processes relating to the party are being served on some state chapters of the party and that, in certain instances, legal practitioners have been engaged purportedly on behalf of the party without the knowledge, consent or authority of the National Legal Adviser,” the statement said.

The ADC stressed that its constitution gives only the National Legal Adviser the authority to appoint lawyers or take legal action on behalf of the party.

“Only the National Legal Adviser of the party is authorised to issue letters of instruction to any legal practitioner to represent, act for, or take steps on behalf of the party in any court, tribunal, arbitration, administrative proceeding or other legal process,” the party stated.

The party also instructed state executives, legal advisers and other officials not to receive, acknowledge or keep any court documents served on the party through state offices.

It further warned that state chapters and officials have no authority to appoint lawyers, file legal documents, appear in court or make legal decisions for the party without written approval from the National Legal Adviser.

The ADC added that court papers served on state chapters would not be recognised as valid service on the party unless a court specifically orders substituted service. In such cases, the documents must be sent immediately to the National Legal Adviser electronically.

The party warned that any official or chapter that violates the directive or hires lawyers without authorisation could face disciplinary action under the party’s constitution.