A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday stopped a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party from conducting the party’s national convention billed to hold on Thursday.

Justice Okon Abang ruled on Monday following an interlocutory injunction against the convention filed by the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction, which he said must be heard and ruled on before the convention can hold.

The judge fixed Tuesday for the hearing of the Sherriff-faction’s motion for interlocutory injunction.

Justice Abang also lambasted Senator Ben Obi for allegedly rushing to the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court to obtain an order directing security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to monitor the scheduled convention.

The judge described the act by Ben Obi as a slap on the face.

Justice Abang said the order obtained by Obi from Port Harcourt was obtained to neutralise the proceedings of the court.

He ruled, “Senator Ben Obi cannot treat the court with levity.

“What is the reason for rushing to another court when the court is already seized of this matter?

He added, “I want to point out that a court of coordinate jurisdiction cannot make an order that will neutralise the proceedings of this court.

“The Port Harcourt Division of this court cannot make an order to neutralise the proceedings of this court.

He said he was therefore inclined to granting the interim order suspending the convention in exercise of his “disciplinary jurisdiction” in order to maintain the integrity of the court.

The hearing of Sherriff’s motion was adjourned till Tuesday.

Azeez