A Ghanaian, Zimbabwean and American Try to Establish an African Kingdom in Scotland

The Scottish Borders Council has launched fresh court proceedings against the self-proclaimed “Kingdom of Kubala” after the group set up a new camp just metres away from the private woodland they were previously evicted from on Tuesday, 16th September, 2025.

Early September 2025, Sheriff Officers, assisted by the police, evicted the group from private woodlands near Jedburgh, Scotland. The land, owned by David and Mary Palmer, saw the group’s tents and possessions dismantled during the operation. 

But within hours, members of the Kingdom, led by Ghanaian Kofi Offei, re-established their camp on adjacent council-owned woodland by simply crossing a wire fence. This has given the Scottish Borders Council an opportunity to take legal action against them.

Deputy Council Leader, Scott Hamilton, said their move was “disappointing but not surprising” given their history of refusing to obey eviction orders. 

Jean Gasho aka Queen Nandi (left) Kofi Offei aka King Atahene (middle) and Kaura Taylor aka Handmaiden Asnat (right)/ image from Jean Gasho’s facebook

What is the Kingdom of Kubala?

The Kingdom of Kubala is an “African-styled tribe” made up of three members led by Kofi Offeh, 36, a former opera singer of Ghanaian origin, who now calls himself King Atahene. His wife, Zimbabwean Jean Gasho, describes herself as Queen Nandi, and they have a young lady from Texas, Kaura Taylor, who calls herself “Handmaiden Asnat.” She joined the group with her child after what she describes as fleeing an abusive family background.

Together, the trio say they are rebuilding an ancient nation. They believe they are ancestors of Black Jacobites, African Highlanders who they claim lived in Scotland over 400 years ago. According to their narrative, their ancestors were deported during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, exiled across the Americas and Africa. 

Kubala members insist they have now returned to reclaim land they believe was unjustly taken from them, and they hope to eventually gather more “lost tribes” to Scotland. 

Jean Gasho aka Queen Nandi (left) Kofi Offei aka King Atahene (middle) and Kaura Taylor aka Handmaiden Asnat (right)/ image from Jean Gasho’s facebook

A Lifestyle Apart from the Law

The group first appeared in July 2025, when they set up camp on a hillside site above Jedburgh. They live mostly off-grid with little to no electricity and claim to rely on nature for sustenance. They bathe spring water, worship Yahowah, their God, and reject the authority of UK courts and government laws. 

Kofi Offei aka King Atahene (left) and Jean Gasho aka Queen Nandi (right) during a meal/ image from Jean Gasho’s Facebook

Shortly after their arrival in July 2025, they were issued with an eviction notice by the Scottish Borders Council. By early September, 2025, they had moved onto land owned by David and Mary Palmer, who successfully applied for a sheriff court order to have them removed. The order required them to vacate by Monday 15th September, 2025 at 5:00 PM but they refused to comply. 

The following morning, on Tuesday 16th September, 2025, five sheriff officers, assisted by four police officers, carried out the eviction. Shouting was heard as the group was woken, and within 90 minutes, their tenets had been dismantled and belongings packed.

Instead of leaving Jeburgh, the Kingdom of Kubala simply crossed a fence and set up a new camp just a few metres away on council-owned land. The council has since confirmed ownership of the land and has filed legal paperwork seeking another eviction order.

Speaking after their second eviction, Offeh told BBC Scotland, “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 if they would move elsewhere, he added, “If the Creator of the heavens and earth wants us to move from this land, He shall find us a place to go.”

Growing Online Attention

Despite their tiny number, the Kingdom of Kubala has cultivated a sizable digital following, boasting more than 100,000 followers on TikTok and Facebook. Their posts are often mixed with biblical prophecy, historical claims, and denunciations of government authority as well as showing the audience a glimpse of their lifestyle. 

But the recent happenings have sparked tensions locally. Councilor Hamilton said the group’s social media comments, which accuse the community of prejudice, had, “upset a lot of people in the area.”

@moorishtribe♬ original sound – MOORS NORTHERN TRIBE

What Happens Next

With court papers now filed, a new hearing is expected  to determine whether the council can enforce another eviction. For now, the Kingdom of Kubala remains camped on the council-owned woodland insisting that they are not ruled by governments but by their God, Yahowah.