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A Taiwanese man who used a robot vacuum cleaner to catch his wife having an affair has been sentenced to five months in prison for violating her privacy.

The bizarre case, reported by Taiwanese media on Friday, began after the man became suspicious of his wife’s relationship with another man.

The couple, who married in 2021, lived with the man’s parents and also owned a vacation home that they visited during holidays.

His suspicions reportedly began when he discovered an unfamiliar toothbrush at the vacation property. He later reviewed surveillance footage from the parking area and noticed a man who had previously driven his wife home from work.

Although his wife denied having an affair when confronted, the husband eventually discovered evidence suggesting that she had been unfaithful.

According to reports, he later remotely activated the robot vacuum cleaner through its mobile application, intending to surprise his wife by speaking to her through the device.

However, when he accessed the machine’s camera, he discovered his wife with the man he had previously suspected of being her lover.

Rather than immediately confronting them, the husband continued recording, intending to use the footage as evidence in a legal action.

He subsequently sued his wife and the other man, seeking NT$2 million (about $68,000) in compensation for the affair.

A court later found that the relationship had gone beyond the boundaries of ordinary friendship and ordered the pair to pay him NT$500,000 in compensation.

However, the husband’s victory was short-lived after his wife filed a counter-lawsuit over the recording.

The court ruled that although the footage helped establish the affair, the husband had violated the privacy rights of the two people by recording their private activities without their consent.

The man argued that his actions were justified because he was investigating his wife’s infidelity, but the court rejected the argument, ruling that marital obligations did not override an individual’s right to privacy.

Under Taiwanese law, secretly recording or disclosing another person’s private activities or information without consent can attract a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine of up to NT$300,000.

The husband was ultimately sentenced to five months in prison and fined NT$150,000.

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The Fusengbuwa Ruling House has pointed accusation finger at enemies to disqualify it from producing the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, insisting that the house remains united and resolute.

Fusengbuwa house alleged that some individuals are deliberately stalling the succession process to create a basis to knock the family out of the race.

Chairman and Head of the ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, raised the alarm on Saturday during an enlarged meeting of princes and princesses at Ile Nla, Agunsebi, Ijebu-Ode.

Owoyemi, a former President of ICAN, said the meeting was convened to brief members on the stalled process and the legal steps taken so far.

He said the family had to go to court to protect its turn from being truncated.

“The meeting was called to update and brief members of Fusengbuwa Ruling House about the stalled selection process for the next Awujale and the steps we have taken to address the issue.

“The large attendance is an attestation of unity. The house is united. They supported our decision and they have confidence in our leadership.”

“Our enemies are those who want to spoil things so that they will come back to say our ruling house cannot produce the next Awujale again,” Owoyemi stated.

Members were also briefed on the rationale behind the court action instituted against Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, nine Ijebu-Ode kingmakers and five others.

The ruling house said it is seeking an order of court to compel the defendants to conclude the stalled selection process.

The meeting, co-chaired by Owoyemi, his Deputy Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, and Prof Fassy Yusuf, drew members from Lagos and other locations.

Despite the tension, Owoyemi said the massive turnout proved the house remains united.

He noted that members endorsed the leadership’s decisions and reaffirmed confidence in its handling of the succession battle.

The family urged its members to remain calm and law-abiding as it seeks to reclaim its turn through the court.

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● Construction firm says “reputation is built, not claimed” amid ongoing road, bridge works nationwide

ABUJA — Hartland Nigeria Limited says it has completed 41 major infrastructure projects across Nigeria, positioning the civil engineering firm as one of the country’s leading players in roads, bridges and critical public works delivery.

In a statement issued on September 3, 2026 and signed by Management, the company said its record was built on “technical competence, professional discipline, uncompromising quality, and integrity.”

“In Nigerian construction, reputation is not claimed. It is built,” the company stated. “Each of those 41 projects represents more than concrete and asphalt. It represents a responsibility accepted. A contract executed. A commitment honoured.”

—TRACK RECORD ACROSS GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR—

Hartland said its clients have included Federal and State governments, international organisations and leading private entities. The firm noted it has invested heavily in personnel, equipment and systems to manage complex projects, with over 1,700 direct employees and several others engaged through contractual arrangements.

The company emphasised that it has “never abandoned a project entrusted to us.”

Where contractual or financial challenges arose, it said it worked with clients and partners to find solutions and keep projects moving towards completion.

“We value the confidence and cooperation of those we work with and remain committed to the timely progress and completion of all our ongoing projects,” Management said.

—GUIDED BY PRINCIPLES—

According to the statement, Hartland’s operations have been guided by four core principles: Excellence in execution, Integrity in every dealing, Innovation in approach, and Respect for clients and host communities.

“A contract is a commitment. Public infrastructure carries a public trust. And the strongest reputation is earned one project, one site, one delivery at a time,” the company said.

Management added that infrastructure delivered by Hartland is intended to “connect communities, enable commerce, and support a stronger Nigerian economy.”

—“FULLY COMMITTED” TO ONGOING PROJECTS—

Looking ahead, Hartland said its record of 41 completed projects deepens its sense of responsibility for current assignments.

The firm affirmed it has the experience, technical capacity, professional personnel and organisational discipline to meet all contractual obligations.

“Hartland Nigeria Limited remains fully committed to delivering all current projects in line with the specifications, timelines, and standards of our contracts,” the statement read.

It concluded: “We remain committed to our clients. We remain committed to the communities our projects serve. We remain committed to building the infrastructure that powers Nigeria’s growth. Because this is who we are.”

Hartland Nigeria Limited started as Hartland Enterprises and now operates as a leading civil engineering and construction company focused on roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.