'Time for these chancers to move on!' Borders MP backs council's efforts to evict 'make-believe tribe'
Last updated 24th Sep 2025
Conservative MP John Lamont is backing Scottish Borders Council's efforts to evict a self-styled African tribe from local authority-owned land amid concerns the ongoing saga is wasting valuable police time and becoming a drain on the public purse.
The so-called Kingdom of Kubala remain camped out in woodland at the edge of Oxnam Road Industrial Estate in Jedburgh this evening (Wednesday) - despite an order to vacate the land by noon on Monday.
Mr Lamont said: "Scottish Borders Council is strapped for cash, they should be spending this money on fixing the roads, supporting our schools, and all the other things that they are responsible for; not dealing with this make-believe tribe.
"I think people have had enough, they (the illegal occupants) are full of a lot of baloney."
Leader Kofi Offeh, 36, the self-proclaimed King Atehene, his wife Jean Gasho, 43, who calls herself Queen Nandi, and "handmaiden" Kaura Taylor, who calls herself Asnat, have been documenting their daily activities to thousands of followers online.
They had previously been staying on private land but re-pitched their tents just a few metres away after sheriff officers enforced a previous eviction order - before mocking attempts to move them.
The "handmaiden" has since said the "king" would not be speaking to anyone unless gifts were brought to him.
Scottish Borders Council has confirmed it has been granted a fresh eviction order to remove the trio.
Local councillor Scott Hamilton is the authority’s Deputy Leader. He said: "We were obviously very relieved to be granted the eviction order (on Monday this week), so obviously we're looking to execute that in an appropriate manner.
"I think we have to be aware of what happened last time when they moved simply to another piece of land.
"So we're looking at this in a much more co-ordinated effort. They (the occupants) are clever and they know what they're doing."
The three members of the self-proclaimed "kingdom" have previously said they are reclaiming land that was stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago.
But many locals have grown weary of their bizarre behaviour and repeated demands for donations.
Mr Lamont said: "It’s time for these chancers to comply with the eviction notices and move on.
"They are wasting the time of police, the council and making the local community uncomfortable.
"I fully support Cllr Scott Hamilton for Jedburgh & district’s efforts to remove the 'tribe' from both council and private land."
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