SaskatoonA judge has reserved her sentencing decision for John Olubobokun, a former director of a Saskatoon private Christian school convicted of nine counts of assault with a weapon. John Olubobokun awaits judge’s decision on sentence for 9 counts of assault with a weapon Scott Larson · CBC News · Posted: Oct 08, 2025 8:49 PM EDT | Last Updated: 7 hours agoJohn Olubobokun is shown in a file photo outside Saskatoon provincial court. He returned to court on Wednesday for his sentencing hearing on nine counts of assault with a weapon for incidents that happened while he was the director at Christian Centre Academy. (CBC News)A judge has reserved her sentencing decision for a former director of a Saskatoon private Christian school convicted of nine counts of assault with a weapon.John Olubobokun was found guilty in July of using a wooden paddle to hit students when he was the director at Christian Centre Academy for four years starting in 2003. The school was later renamed Legacy Christian Academy, then Valour Academy.The Crown asked for two years of jail followed by three years of probation with terms including that Olubobokun wouldn’t be allowed to supervise anyone under the age of 15.The defence is seeking a conditional discharge with 18 months of probation, which would mean that if Olubobokun followed the terms of the probation successfully, the convictions would not be registered.Former students at the school testified during the trial last year that they were often accused of misbehaviour, called into the director’s office, told to bend over a desk or chair, and struck multiple times with a wooden paddle. On Wednesday, an emotional Coy Nolin told the court in a victim impact statement that Olubobokun’s abuse left deep scars on his soul.Nolin said he suffers from constant nightmares and said Olubobokun used religion as a weapon.”Shame was beaten into me,” he said.Coy Nolin says he still has constant nightmares stemming from the abuse from John Olubobokun. (Don Somers/CBC)Nolan Blackstock said the abuse has left him with a lifetime of burdens and suicidal thoughts.”I did not deserve beatings,” he said.Blackstock said his anger keeps him going: “I won’t let the source of my nightmare win.”Caitlin Erickson said the abuse has bled into every part of her life.”I spent 18 years in therapy,” said Erickson, adding the abuse was even more despicable because it was done in a school.But Erickson said with the help of friends and supporters, she now has the power to fight back.WATCH | Crown asks for 2 years jail for former Christian school director:Crown asks for 2 years in jail for former Saskatoon Christian school director guilty of assaultJohn Olubobokun was found guilty of using a wooden paddle to hit students when he was the director at Saskatoon’s Christian Centre Academy for four years starting in 2003. His sentencing hearing took place Wednesday in Saskatoon provincial court.In seeking a conditional discharge, defence lawyer Ron Piché said Olubobokun has no criminal record and has impeccable credentials.Piché said Olubobokun hasn’t worked in three years and is in dire financial hardship, and a criminal record could ruin him.Judge Lisa Watson reserved her sentencing decision for a later date.ABOUT THE AUTHORScott Larson works for CBC News in Saskatoon. scott.larson@cbc.ca
‘Shame was beaten into me’: Students at private Christian school share impact of abuse
