Former Saskatoon Christian school director found guilty of assault with a weapon

The former director of Legacy Christian Academy has been found guilty of assault with a weapon.

In a packed Saskatoon courtroom on Monday, Judge Lisa Watson delivered a lengthy decision, ruling that John Olubobokun is guilty of nine counts of assault with a weapon for paddling students who once attended the school.

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“I find that the Crown has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that (Olubobokun) assaulted each of the named complainants with a wooden paddle,’ she said.

Watson said she did not find Olubobokun’s testimony credible, and rejected his claim that paddles were removed from the school shortly after the Supreme Court’s ruling on corporal punishment in 2003.

“I accept that paddling continued under (Olubobokun’s) directorship and that he directly participated in disciplining students by paddling,” she said.

In March, Olubobokun testified that he never struck any of the former students involved in the case with a paddle or with his hand.

The trial began in June of 2024, but was adjourned several times due to the defense calling new witnesses and a change in legal representation. The court heard testimony from 11 witnesses, including former students and staff members of the school.

Olubobokun served as the Christian school’s director from 2003 to 2007. The school, which was also formerly known as Christian Centre Academy, has since been been renamed as Valour Academy. Its affiliated church, Mile Two Church, was recently renamed Encounter Church.

Mark Drapak, Jennifer Beaudry, Coy Nolin and Caitlin Erickson, former students of Legacy Christian Academy, outside of Saskatoon Provincial court on July 21, 2025. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

‘Very emotional’

Following Watson’s decision, former students of the school gathered outside the courtroom, hugging each other.

Caitlin Erickson, a former student who testified in the trial, said she felt “very emotional” after hearing the decision.

“It’s been a very long time for us to wait to have our day in court and for justice to play out,” she told journalists outside of the courthouse.

She described it as “a win” for alumni who testified in court and for other students who once attended the school.

Erickson said it was validating to hear that Olubobokun was not found to be a credible witness.

“That was really huge for all of us who have had to sit through court and listen to him lie,” she said.

Erickson said she is thankful for those in the justice system who have worked alongside her and other former students to put together the case.

“We’re just looking forward to sentencing and having this one wrapped up and resolved,” she said.

A sentencing date for Olubobokun has been set for July 28.