Latest news with #ChristianCentreAcademy
Global News
12-05-2025
- Global News
Former Christian school principal on trial for assault charges in Saskatoon
A former principal at a private Christian school in Saskatoon is now facing trial on multiple assault charges. Duff Arthur Friesen's trial began Monday at the Court of King's Bench in Saskatoon, with jurors selected that same morning. The trial is set to run until May 21. Friesen, 67, who elected to be tried by a judge and jury, is facing 11 counts of assault with a weapon. However, this trial will address four of these charges, which were laid in June 2023. The charges stem from allegations reported to authorities in 2021 and 2022. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The reported incidents are alleged to have taken place during the 2003-04 school year at what was then known as Christian Centre Academy, later renamed Legacy Christian Academy, and now called Valour Academy, operated by Mile Two Church. Friesen is one of several former staff members named in a $25-million class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by former students, claims there was a long-standing history of physical and sexual abuse at the school. Story continues below advertisement A second jury trial related to the remaining charges against Friesen is scheduled for September. Before the trial, Friesen requested a publication ban on all court proceedings, including the verdict. A hearing on this request took place in March, with some media organizations opposing the ban. In April, Justice Natasha Crooks granted the request, and the publication ban will remain in effect until the conclusion of Friesen's second trial in September.
CBC
02-05-2025
- CBC
Lawyers make closing arguments at assault trial for former director at Saskatoon Christian school
Lawyers have made their closing arguments at the trial for a former director of a private Christian school in Saskatoon. John Olubobokun, 64, is charged with nine counts of assault with a weapon for allegedly using a wooden paddle to hit students. The charges date back to 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 trial in Saskatoon provincial court began in June 2024 with testimony from nine students and other Crown witnesses, then continued in March with defence witnesses. On Friday, defence lawyer Ron Piché argued the testimony Olubobokun gave in his own defence, as well as the testimony of other defence witnesses, raises reasonable doubt. "He was very clear that as director, he was not responsible for this type of conduct, this type of discipline," Piché said. Piché questioned why the students didn't go to their parents or to police at the time of the alleged paddlings and why there are no photographs of bruising. Judge Lisa Watson interjected to note that Piché's musings were "speculative," particularly given the insular nature of the community of the school and its associated church. Piché also insinuated the former students have a financial interest in the outcome of the case, as there is a separate civil case — a proposed class-action lawsuit — against the school and connected church. There was some discussion about Section 43 of the Criminal Code, which reads: "Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances." In 2004, a Supreme Court of Canada ruling narrowed the scope of the section, including by saying an object cannot be used. It defined "reasonable" force as that which would have a "transitory and trifling" impact on the child. Referencing the use of objects, Watson asked Piché if he had any case law where an instrument is used and it falls within the parameters of Section 43. "No," Piché answered. Crown prosecutor Sheryl Fillo argued that by virtue of the allegations, "with the implement being used," there is no defence under Section 43. She said it was important for the court to hear about the "unique situation" of how the school was run and interconnected with the church, and the consequences students and their entire families would face for speaking out. The school and the church are in the same building. "These were people that were at the church almost daily — at the school, at the church, at this building, almost daily," Fillo said. In response to Piché's reference to the civil suit, Fillo pointed out how, during their testimonies, she asked each former student about when they decided to come forward to police, and that they all had reasons for doing so when they did. The judge is scheduled to give her decision on July 21.
CBC
12-03-2025
- CBC
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. 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.
