Trial date to be set this month for former Legacy Christian Academy leaders

About half a dozen former students of Saskatoon’s Legacy Christian Academy were sitting in a Saskatoon courtroom on Thursday morning.

They were there to watch appearances by the school’s former principal Duff Friesen and former executive director John Olubobokun. A trial date for the pair is expected by the end of this month.

Both men are facing charges of assault with a weapon in connection with alleged incidents at the Saskatoon private school, which was formerly known as Christian Centre Academy.

Olubobokun appeared in the courtroom in person, while Friesen’s lawyer appeared on his client’s behalf by phone.

According to the Crown, a case management hearing will take place on Nov. 27, while a trial date for Friesen and Olubobokun for several joint charges is expected to be set on Nov. 30.

Olubobokun already has separate trial set for next June on similar charges.

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Outside the courthouse, former Legacy student Quentin Pelletier said he was disappointed the pair didn’t plead guilty.

“At the same time, this does give students a chance to tell their stories in a court of law and be heard. Hopefully, justice will be done,” he said.

Pelletier said he and his siblings attended the school from Kindergarten through Grade 12.

“We saw everything that went on in there, and we’re happy there is accountability at the very least, and that theses stories are being heard and being taken seriously,” he added.

Friesen was the second former staff member to be charged, while Olubobokun is the third.

Aaron Bennewies, the school’s former athletic director, has pleaded guilty to sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a minor. His sentencing is expected to take place on Jan. 4.

A $25-million class-action lawsuit has also been filed in Court of King’s Bench by dozens of former students, alleging physical and sexual abuse at the school.