ADC Bars State Chapters From Handling Court Cases Without Approval

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has directed all its state chapters to stop receiving court documents or appointing lawyers to act for the party without approval from its national leadership. The directive was announced on Thursday as the party moved to tighten control over its legal affairs ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The instruction was issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who said every court document served on the party at the state level must be forwarded immediately to the National Legal Adviser at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

According to the party, the decision followed reports that some state chapters had been receiving court processes while legal practitioners were allegedly being engaged to represent the party without the knowledge or approval of the National Legal Adviser.

The ADC said its constitution gives the National Legal Adviser the sole authority to appoint lawyers or take legal action on behalf of the party. It explained that no state chapter, official or organ of the party has the power to hire legal representatives, file court documents, appear in court or make legal decisions without written approval from the national legal office.

The party also instructed all state executives, legal advisers and other officials not to accept, acknowledge or retain any court documents served through state offices. It said any legal process received at the state level should be sent without delay to the National Legal Adviser for appropriate action.

The ADC further stated that court documents delivered to state chapters would not be regarded as valid service on the party unless a court specifically ordered substituted service. In such situations, the documents must still be transmitted immediately to the National Legal Adviser through electronic means.

The party warned that any state chapter or official who ignores the directive or appoints lawyers without authorisation could face disciplinary measures in line with the provisions of the ADC constitution.

The new directive comes as political activities and legal disputes involving political parties continue to increase ahead of the 2027 general elections.