Second eviction notice served to 'Kingdom of Kubala' camping in Scots woods
Council orders eviction after latest encampment near Jedburgh; group led by Kofi Offeh maintains historic displacement claim
A self-proclaimed ‘African tribe’ whose members have camped in woodland near Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, since May has received a second eviction notice from Scottish Borders Council. The Kingdom of Kubala, as they call themselves, were previously forced off private land by sheriff officers, and they then moved about 30 yards onto land owned by the council.
Led by Kofi Offeh, 36, who styles himself King Atehene, the group’s top figures include his wife, Jean Gasho, 43, who calls herself Queen Nandi, and their ‘handmaiden’, Kaura Taylor, 21, who identifies as Asnat. They have argued that their presence is tied to a historic displacement claim, saying their ancestors were removed from the Highlands 400 years ago. They say they returned to Scotland to reclaim their homeland after Queen Elizabeth I ordered the eviction of the ‘black Jacobites’ in 1596.
On Thursday, officials from the council arrived at the encampment to hand over letters informing them of the latest interdict and eviction, since the land is owned by the local authority. A council official said the documents reflected a court order, and added: ‘The council have been to court and they’re asking for an interdict and an eviction from this land, because they’re the owners. We’ve given you two days notice, so you’ll have to seek legal advice. If you don’t attend the court, you will be looking at eviction next week.’ The letters were presented to Mr Offeh, who is described as king by residents.
Ms Gasho described the document as ‘really bizarre’.
The group did not attend the scheduled court hearing on Friday, instead learning of the immediate extraction order through journalists. They remained defiant, with Mr Offeh saying: ‘The creator of the heavens and the Earth is the one with us. And we are not afraid of whatever the court - the so-called court - has granted.’
As part of Sheriff Peter Patterson’s order the group has been told to pay costs, but Mr Offeh said: ‘We have no money. We do not use any currency, they can take it from our donations. We are not scared of jail.’ They have accepted offerings from visitors, including Irn Bru and shortbread.
They have divided opinion among locals. Some have left offerings of Irn-Bru and shortbread, while others have branded them delusional. When they first started camping in the area they were on land owned by Scottish Borders Council, before moving onto the private land near an industrial estate, before moving to their latest encampment on land owned by the local authority.
The council has obtained an interdict and eviction order, with costs attached, and officials say enforcement will continue if the occupants do not comply. The saga has drawn attention to questions about land use, cultural claims, and local responses to unconventional encampments in regional Scotland, as authorities prepare for possible further action next week.