A self-proclaimed African tribe dug in at their woodland encampment last night as they continued to defy a court order demanding they leave.
Kofi Offeh, 36, from Ghana, and Jean Gasho, 43, from Zimbabwe, have been camping in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, since May, along with their 21-year-old American ‘handmaiden’ Kaura Taylor.
On Friday, Sheriff Peter Patterson issued an ‘immediate extraction’ decree against the trio’s self-titled Kingdom of Kubala during a six-minute hearing at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.
The order demands the group leave the private land, which is behind an industrial estate on the outskirts of the town.
However, despite the legal demand, the group showed no sign of moving as they welcomed more visitors today, including some laden with gifts.
One of the people who turned up to meet with the ‘tribe’ was a woman from London who streamed live footage of her visit to the woods on social media platform TikTok.
The video was watched by more than 5,000 people – some of whom spoke online to state they would be offering their help and even travelling themselves to the camp.
One man vowed to donate £100 for the trio to buy a gazebo and anything else they need.
The trio have shown no intention of moving from the woods where they have set up camp
The group were visited by a woman from London who streamed her visit on TikTok
During a live video the group could be seen trying on gifts, including jackets, given to them
Another said he was planning to visit the group on Tuesday and was willing to pick others up from Manchester Train Station and drive them to Jedburgh.
The TikToker from London, who said her name was ‘Nash’, also offered to go and buy the trio some fish and chips and chicken.
Another woman who arrived at the camp brought waterproof jackets and umbrellas for the group as well as a leather jacket that Mr Offeh, who calls himself King Atehene, tried on momentarily.
And the donations were no doubt needed as heavy rain started to lash the camp shortly after the women’s arrival.
The ‘tribe’ have said they are ‘not afraid’ of the legal action taken to evict them.
Mr Offeh previously said: ‘And we are not afraid of whatever the court – the so-called court – has granted.’
However, the ‘king’ has also conceded that he would not be fazed if they are forced off the land, known as Darnic Parklands.
He had said: ‘If we must go, the creator will find us another place to go.’
The Kingdom of Kubala have claimed to be victims of historical displacement because their ancestors were forced out of the Highlands 400 years ago.
The trio said they returned to Scotland to reclaim their rightful homeland after Queen Elizabeth I ordered the eviction of the ‘black Jacobites’ in 1596.
They have divided opinion among locals. Some have left ‘offerings’ of Irn-Bru and shortbread, while others have branded them delusional.
They have camped in the woods for the past month after being shifted from nearby land owned by Scottish Borders Council.
The court action was brought after the group ignored a previous eviction notice, which instructed them to leave by 5pm on Monday.
