A sheriff in the Scottish Borders has issued a warrant for the immediate removal of a self-styled “African tribe” that has been camping illegally in woodland near Jedburgh.
At Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, Sheriff Peter Paterson granted landowners Mary and David Palmer an order to evict the group, known as the “Kingdom of Kubala.”
The ruling follows weeks of escalating tension after the group ignored a previous eviction notice demanding they vacate the site by Sept. 8.
The encampment is led by Kofi Offeh, 36, who calls himself King Atehene, his wife Jean Gasho, 43, and U.S. citizen born Kaura Taylor, 30, who refers to herself as Queen Nandi, the “handmaiden.
The trio claim they are “reclaiming land stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago.”
Kaura Taylor, who was reported missing by her family, resurfaced in Scotland last month living as a “handmaiden” in the self-proclaimed ‘kingdom of Kubala’
The exact date when Kaura Taylor was reported missing is not clearly specified in available information. Many reports say her family reported her missing, but the specific date of the report remains unclear.
After news of her discovery in Scotland blew up in the U.S., she posted a statement on Queen Nandi’s Facebook page, claiming she left the United States voluntarily and describing her family as “oppressive,” “toxic,” and even “wicked.”
Court Ruling
Representing the Palmers, solicitor Conner McConnell told the court his clients sought both the removal of the occupiers and an interdiction preventing future occupation of their land. Sheriff Paterson agreed, stating he was “happy to grant a notice of eviction” with immediate effect.
None of the Kubala members were present in court nor legally represented.
Defiance at the Campsite
Hours later, speaking defiantly from the forest, Offeh dismissed the court’s authority.
“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,” he said.
In a TikTok video posted by the group, Offeh and Gasho can be seen singing and dancing as officials hand them the court papers. When asked if they intended to move, Offeh replied:
“If the creator…wants us to move from this land, he shall find us a place to go.”
Local Reaction
Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton condemned the group’s refusal to comply with legal orders, saying the Palmers had been left with “no option” but to seek sheriff court action.
“This is disappointing but not surprising given the group’s previous behaviour,” he noted, adding that additional safety measures remain in place.
Borders Council confirmed it is supporting the landowners. In a statement, the council reminded the public not to engage with the group while the eviction process continues.
A Broader Dispute
The Kubala encampment has attracted significant media attention, not only because of its unusual claims of ancestral reclamation but also for its reliance on social media to broadcast defiance.
Legal experts say the case underscores tensions between property rights and self-styled sovereignty movements that challenge established law.
For now, however, the court has been clear: the “Kingdom of Kubala” has no legal right to remain on the land and could soon be removed by force.
