This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62zxjy0j91o
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Court orders 'tribe' to be evicted from Scottish woodland | Court orders 'tribe' to be evicted from Scottish woodland |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Jean Gasho and Kofi Offeh at their makeshift camp outside Jedburgh | Jean Gasho and Kofi Offeh at their makeshift camp outside Jedburgh |
A sheriff has ordered that a self-styled "African tribe" should be removed from privately-owned land in the Scottish Borders. | A sheriff has ordered that a self-styled "African tribe" should be removed from privately-owned land in the Scottish Borders. |
The three members of the self-proclaimed Kingdom of Kubala have been camping in woodland near Jedburgh for several weeks. | The three members of the self-proclaimed Kingdom of Kubala have been camping in woodland near Jedburgh for several weeks. |
They said they were reclaiming land that was stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago - but the local council said they were breaking the law. | They said they were reclaiming land that was stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago - but the local council said they were breaking the law. |
The eviction order, which takes effect immediately, was issued by Sheriff Peter Paterson after the group ignored a previous instruction to leave their encampment by 17:00 on Monday. | The eviction order, which takes effect immediately, was issued by Sheriff Peter Paterson after the group ignored a previous instruction to leave their encampment by 17:00 on Monday. |
None of the group's members were present at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and they did not have legal representation. | None of the group's members were present at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and they did not have legal representation. |
The "tribe" has been at the site for several months | |
Ghanaian Kofi Offeh, 36, and Jean Gasho, 42, who is originally from Zimbabwe, first arrived in the Jedburgh area in the spring. | Ghanaian Kofi Offeh, 36, and Jean Gasho, 42, who is originally from Zimbabwe, first arrived in the Jedburgh area in the spring. |
Describing themselves as King Atehehe and Queen Nandi, they set up camp on a hillside above the town in the Scottish Borders. | Describing themselves as King Atehehe and Queen Nandi, they set up camp on a hillside above the town in the Scottish Borders. |
They were joined by "handmaiden" Kaura Taylor, from Texas, who calls herself Asnat. | They were joined by "handmaiden" Kaura Taylor, from Texas, who calls herself Asnat. |
The group claimed ancestral rights to land and insisted that the Kingdom of Kubala had been born. | The group claimed ancestral rights to land and insisted that the Kingdom of Kubala had been born. |
Scottish Borders Council initially evicted the trio from the hillside site above Jedburgh in July. | Scottish Borders Council initially evicted the trio from the hillside site above Jedburgh in July. |
But rather than leave the area, they moved about a mile further out of town to a woodland next to an industrial estate. | But rather than leave the area, they moved about a mile further out of town to a woodland next to an industrial estate. |
The camp is located near Jedburgh in the south of Scotland | The camp is located near Jedburgh in the south of Scotland |
The land's owners, David and Mary Palmer, successfully applied to the courts for the tribe to be evicted. | The land's owners, David and Mary Palmer, successfully applied to the courts for the tribe to be evicted. |
However, Scottish Borders Council said they had failed to comply with an order to leave the land by 17:00 on Monday. | However, Scottish Borders Council said they had failed to comply with an order to leave the land by 17:00 on Monday. |
Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton said the group were breaking the law by taking up residence on someone else's land. | Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton said the group were breaking the law by taking up residence on someone else's land. |
He said the landowner had been left with "no option" but to seek an order from the sheriff. | He said the landowner had been left with "no option" but to seek an order from the sheriff. |
Mr Hamilton, deputy leader of the council, said it was disappointing - but not surprising - that the group had ignored the ultimatum to leave the site. | Mr Hamilton, deputy leader of the council, said it was disappointing - but not surprising - that the group had ignored the ultimatum to leave the site. |
"They have rebuffed every opportunity to engage with us," he said. | "They have rebuffed every opportunity to engage with us," he said. |
"We can help them, but we won't sit back and let them break the law." | "We can help them, but we won't sit back and let them break the law." |
Kofi Offeh spoke to the media at the campsite after the court hearing | |
He added that comments on social media by the group, which has made allegations of prejudice against the community, had upset a lot of people in the area. | He added that comments on social media by the group, which has made allegations of prejudice against the community, had upset a lot of people in the area. |
The "tribe" has a growing online presence, with more than 100,000 followers on TikTok and Facebook, and has received worldwide media attention. | The "tribe" has a growing online presence, with more than 100,000 followers on TikTok and Facebook, and has received worldwide media attention. |
Speaking to the media at the campsite following the order, Mr Offeh said the group were "not afraid" of the warrant for their eviction. | Speaking to the media at the campsite following the order, Mr Offeh said the group were "not afraid" of the warrant for their eviction. |
"The creator of the heavens and the Earth is the one with us," he said. | "The creator of the heavens and the Earth is the one with us," he said. |
"And we are not afraid of whatever the court - the so-called court - has granted." | "And we are not afraid of whatever the court - the so-called court - has granted." |
Asked if the group planned to move elsewhere, the self-proclaimed king said: "If the creator of the heavens and the earth wants us to move from this land, he shall find us a place to go." | Asked if the group planned to move elsewhere, the self-proclaimed king said: "If the creator of the heavens and the earth wants us to move from this land, he shall find us a place to go." |
Previous version
1
Next version