ADC prohibits state chapters from receiving court processes, engaging lawyers

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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.

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The party warned that neither the state chapter, officer nor representative has constitutional authority to receive court processes or engage legal practitioners without prior written approval.

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The directive was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, following reports of unauthorised legal actions involving ADC.

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

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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

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“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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“The leadership of the party expects strict compliance with this directive. Any unauthorised handling of court processes may attract disciplinary measures,” Abdullahi added.

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

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