A sheriff in Scotland has ordered the eviction of Zimbabwean-born Jean Gasho, her Ghanaian husband Kofi Offeh, and their American companion after they set up camp in woodland near Jedburgh. The group, calling itself the “Kingdom of Kubala”, claimed it was reclaiming land stolen from its ancestors four centuries ago.
On 12 September 2025, the BBC reported that Sheriff Peter Paterson ruled the self-styled African “tribe” must vacate the woodland immediately. The ruling followed weeks of disputes, during which the group ignored an earlier directive to leave by 17:00 on 8 September.
The woodland is privately owned by David and Mary Palmer, who turned to the courts after the group refused to leave. Scottish Borders Council supported the eviction. Councillor Scott Hamilton, the deputy leader, explained why the decision was unavoidable:
“They have rebuffed every opportunity to engage with us. We can help them, but we won’t sit back and let them break the law. The landowners had no option but to seek an order from the sheriff.”
Neither Ms Gasho nor her companions attended Jedburgh Sheriff Court, and they had no legal representation.
Speaking defiantly afterwards, Mr Offeh, who calls himself “King Atehene”, dismissed the authority of the court.
“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.”
When asked whether they would relocate, he added:
“If the creator of the heavens and the earth wants us to move from this land, he shall find us a place to go.”
The Daily Mail wrote on 2 September 2025 that the group’s presence in Jedburgh had already sparked tensions. Videos posted online showed angry confrontations with residents. In one clip, locals accused Ms Gasho of being “delusional” and shouted abuse at the group. One man was recorded saying:
“This is a rapist cult and I will always stick to that.” [I cannot verify this]
Another man told Ms Gasho:
“Stop pulling the racist card. The only reason why the police and everyone else isn’t getting involved and the group isn’t getting shifted properly – is because they are so scared of being called racist.”
In several of the clips, larger groups, including minors, surrounded the woodland camp, shouting and filming on their phones. Police were later filmed carrying out a welfare check, asking whether the group had been harmed or had their property damaged.
Ms Gasho later said these incidents reminded her of the abuse the group had faced in England the previous year.
