Former Saskatoon Christian school director denies hitting students with paddle

A former director of a private Christian school in Saskatoon is denying allegations that he used a wooden paddle to strike students.

John Olubobokun is charged with nine counts of assault with a weapon, stemming from when he was director at Christian Centre Academy for four years starting in 2003. The school has since been renamed twice, first to Legacy Christian Academy and then Valour Christian Academy.

His trial began in June 2024 in Saskatoon provincial court, but was adjourned until this week, when the defence began presenting evidence.

Olubobokun, 64, took the stand in his own defence on Tuesday. His lawyer, Ron Piche, asked him about the allegations each of nine former students made against him. Olubobokun said none of the incidents ever happened.

"Is it your testimony that you never struck any of these people with a paddle or object or even your hand?" Piche asked.

"That is my testimony," Olubobokun replied.

Last summer, former students testified Olubobokun regularly used a wooden paddle to strike their buttocks as discipline for various infractions. They said he got them to bend over a chair or desk and usually struck them three times, before praying with them.

On Tuesday, Olubobokun testified under cross-examination by Crown prosecutor Sheryl Fillo that he was aware of students being paddled at the school, but that it was only carried out by the principal and that he had never done it as the director of the school. As director, he said his job was scriptural and spiritual oversight and administration.

Caitlin Erickson, centre, and other former students at Legacy Christian Academy were at court in Saskatoon on Tuesday to hear the school's former director testify. (Hannah Spray/CBC)

Some of the former students were in the courtroom to hear Olubobokun on the stand. Caitlin Erickson said outside court that she wasn't surprised to hear the former director's denials.

"When there's no defence, denial is the way to go, I guess, because he's denied everything," she said. "Our testimony was really consistent. Everybody was very consistent and truthful. And it's easy when you're telling the truth. So, you know, it's not surprising given this individual and all of our history with him, how he's acting today in the courtroom."

Olubobokun's cross-examination is scheduled to continue Wednesday morning. Piche said he would be calling three additional defence witnesses after that.