The national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has barred its state chapters and regional officers from independently receiving court processes or hiring legal practitioners on behalf of the party. Moving forward, the party declared that all legal matters must be funneled directly through its national headquarters in Abuja to maintain centralized control over party litigation.
Centralizing Legal Authority in Abuja
According to a press statement released on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Bolaji Abdullahi, the directive comes in response to reports that court processes are being served on state branches without the knowledge or authorization of the National Legal Adviser. The party clarified that under the ADC Constitution, only the National Legal Adviser holds the exclusive authority to instruct legal practitioners or manage judicial proceedings involving the political party.
“For the avoidance of doubt and in accordance with the Constitution of the African Democratic Congress, 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,” Abdullahi stated.
New Restrictions on State Chapters
Under the strict new guidelines, state executives, local officers, and State Legal Advisers are expressly forbidden from accepting, acknowledging, or taking custody of any court documents served at state secretariats. The ADC management noted that any court process served through state branches will no longer be recognized as valid service on the political party. Instead, state officials must immediately route these documents to the national headquarters, utilizing electronic transmission if the documents were delivered via court-ordered substituted means.
Strict Compliance and Penalties
The national working committee warned that state-level officers lack the legal standing to file processes, enter appearances, concede claims, or compromise proceedings without express written authority from Abuja. The ADC emphasized that defiance of these guidelines will be met with swift internal repercussions.
“The leadership of the Party expects strict compliance with this directive,” Abdullahi warned in the statement. “Any unauthorised engagement of legal practitioners or handling of court processes in the name of the Party may expose the affected officer or chapter to disciplinary measures in accordance with the Party Constitution and other applicable rules.” All state chapters have been directed to immediately circulate the notice to ensure total compliance across all levels of the party.
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