John Olubobokun, a former director of a private Christian school in Canada, has been found guilty of nine counts of assault with a weapon, following shocking revelations that he used a wooden paddle to discipline students.
Olubobokun, who is of Nigerian descent, worked at the Saskatoon-based Christian Centre Academy—later renamed Legacy Christian Academy—between 2003 and 2007. In Nigeria, corporal punishment with paddles is common, but Canadian law bans such practices in schools.
The court heard disturbing testimonies from nine former students, describing how they were forced to bend over desks and repeatedly struck. Some were left bruised, while one victim recounted how the paddle broke mid-punishment.
The courtroom erupted in tears of relief as the verdict was delivered, with survivors calling the decision “healing and validating.” Prosecutors argued that using a wooden object negated any defence under Canada’s Section 43 law, which allows only reasonable and non-injurious correction by teachers or parents.
Olubobokun now awaits sentencing, as many former students view the verdict as justice long overdue.
