Leader of self-styled African tribe vows to defy Scottish court order

The leader of a self-styled African tribe living in a Scottish woodland has vowed his group will stay put despite a court order stating the encampment should be removed.

A sheriff on Friday issued a warrant for the removal of the so-called Kingdom of Kubala, which has been camped near Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders for the past few weeks.

The three members of the self-proclaimed kingdom have said they’re reclaiming land that was stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago.

Kofi Offeh, 36, is the leader of the group and the self-proclaimed King Atehene. The other two members are his wife Jean Gasho, 43, who calls herself Queen Nandi, and "handmaiden" Kaura Taylor, who calls herself Asnat.

After the warrant was issued on Friday, they showed no inclination to leave. 

Speaking at the campsite, Mr. Offeh said: "The creator of the heavens and the Earth is the one with us.

"We are not afraid of whatever the court - the so-called court - has granted."

Asked if they plan to move, he replied: "If the creator of the heavens and the Earth wants us to move from this land, he shall find us a place to go."

Issuing the order at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday morning, Sheriff Peter Paterson said it would come into effect immediately.

None of the members of the so-called kingdom were in court and they did not have legal representation.

The civil action was brought after the trio ignored a previous eviction notice, which said they had to leave by 5pm on Monday.

Earlier, Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton said the landowner had been left with "no option" but to take legal action.

He said: "The council will be supporting the landowner through the next steps and all the additional safety measures will remain in place until this situation is resolved.

"Whilst this next stage of the eviction process plays out, please can I remind people not to engage with this group."