ADC prohibits state chapters from receiving court processes, engaging lawyers

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has directed all state chapters and officials nationwide to immediately forward court processes served on the party to the National Legal Adviser.

The party warned that the state chapter, officer, or representative has constitutional authority to receive court processes or engage legal practitioners without prior written approval.

The directive was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

This followed reports of unauthorised legal actions involving ADC.

Abdullahi said the party received reports that court processes relating to the ADC were being served on state chapters across the country.

He added that in some instances, legal practitioners were allegedly engaged on behalf of the party without the knowledge, consent, or approval of the National Legal Adviser.

According to him, the party’s constitution expressly empowers only the National Legal Adviser to issue instructions to legal practitioners on behalf of the ADC nationwide.

“Only the national legal adviser is authorised to issue letters of instruction to any legal practitioner representing the party in any legal proceeding,” he said.

He directed all state chapters, executive committee members, officers, state legal advisers, members and representatives not to receive, acknowledge or retain court processes served.

Abdullahi said: “The  prohibits state chapters, state legal advisers, executive committee members and other officials from engaging counsel, filing processes or representing the party legally without approval.

“No state chapter, state legal adviser or state-level officer has authority to engage counsel or represent the party without express written authority.”

He added that the party further declared that any court process served on a state chapter or officer would not be recognised as valid service on the party.

Abdullahi directed that all such court processes be forwarded immediately to the National Legal Adviser at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja for appropriate action.

He added that court processes served through substituted means pursuant to court orders should immediately be transmitted electronically to the national legal adviser without delay.

He said: “The leadership of the party expects strict compliance with this directive. 

“Any unauthorised handling of court processes may attract disciplinary measures.”

Abdullahi advised all state chapters to circulate the directive to relevant officers and members nationwide to ensure immediate compliance with the directive issued.