The São Tomé head of state was questioned by journalists about allegations made by jurist and former first instance judge Augério Amado Vaz, who accuses the president of the Supreme Court of Justice, Silva Cravid, of having had an affair with a minor about 20 years ago and with another in 2021.

According to Amado Vaz, the teenager was raped, and Silva Cravid allegedly became involved with the minor after being involved in the trial that led to the perpetrator's conviction. The alleged victim, now 36, confirmed that she had a "long-term relationship" with Silva Cravid, but denied that she was a minor.

“I was raped when I was a teenager (…), it wasn’t Mr. Silva Cravid who judged you, it was another judge.”

“Judge Silva Cravid simply conducted the first interrogation.”

“A few years later, Judge Silva Gomes Cravid and I had a relationship, everyone knows, it was a long relationship of more than 10 years, I was an adult, I was over 18 years old.”

“We are talking about something that happened more than 18 years ago, I am now 36 years old.”

Kátia Monteiro stated during a live Facebook chat. Silva Cravid also denied alleged sexual involvement with minors and filed a criminal complaint against Augério Amado Vaz and RDP África correspondent journalist Óscar Medeiros for defamation and slander.

“Such information is false, unfounded, with the sole and exclusive purpose of defaming, offending and denigrating the image of the President of the Supreme Court of Justice”

Leonardo Gomes, the director of the office of the president of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), stated in an audio message sent by Silva Cravid to Lusa, without responding to an interview request. However, Augério Amado Vaz said he would not withdraw the complaint and was prepared to present evidence when summoned by the Public Prosecutor's Office.

The President of São Tomé and Príncipe said today that he was informed by his office that " this is a situation that has greatly disturbed society ," and therefore argued that it should be investigated.

"The truth is that what is happening is not pleasant, but it is also true that the information we have needs to be confirmed."

"The authorities need to be able to carry out this investigation, but the person in question is someone who needs to see what mechanisms we have to carry out this procedure."

“Because if we don't investigate, we can't know the truth of things, and I also have the role of defending innocence, defending the confidentiality of justice.”

Carlos Vila Nova stated that he had been informed by the Attorney General of the Republic, Kelve Nobre de Carvalho, that the Public Prosecutor's Office " does not have the authority to investigate the judge, much less the Supreme Court ."

"The Superior Council of the Judiciary can do it, but the president of the Superior Council of the Judiciary is the president of the Supreme Court [Silva Gomes Cravid]. We have to reflect on this ," said the head of state.

According to Carlos Vila Nova, " with the legislative package " on the Justice reform under review in the National Assembly, after having been vetoed, it is an opportunity for " deep reflection " to correct these mechanisms, namely on " whether the president of the Supreme Court should be the president of the Superior Council of the Judiciary ".

The head of state also called for reflection on the need to review the Constitution of the Republic.

“Perhaps this reflection can spark in each of us ways to help contribute, so that we can overcome this.”

“We cannot live from case to case, situations of blockage, difficulties […], when we live in a moment in which there is an attempt and a sense of closeness between people.”

Carlos Vila Nova said after a visit to small services and businesses in the private sector near the Presidency of the Republic.