‘African tribe’ stays put in Jedburgh woodland despite second eviction notice

Ghanaian Kofi Offeh, 36, and Jean Gasho, 43, who is originally from Zimbabwe, first arrived in the area in the spring.

Describing themselves as King Atehehe and Queen Nandi, they set up camp on a hillside above the town in the Scottish Borders.

They were joined by “handmaiden” Kaura Taylor, from Texas, who calls herself Asnat.

The group claimed ancestral rights to land and insisted that the Kingdom of Kubala had been born.

On the day the council deadline passed, Ms Taylor said Mr Offeh would not be speaking to the media unless gifts were brought in.

It is understood the council will shortly seek an order from a sheriff to remove the three.

On Tuesday last week, sheriff officers carried out the eviction from their previous campsite, though they simply set up a new camp on the other side of a small fence.

They had been camping near Jedburgh for the past few weeks and have ignored previous ultimatums to leave.

Last week, Scott Hamilton, the Conservative deputy leader of the council, said: “Nobody is above the law and no matter how long this takes you can be guaranteed we will not cease.”

He said the group had repeatedly failed to engage with the council and legal proceedings which would enable an eviction had begun.

Scottish Borders Council has been approached for further comment.