Siena:

@ gbokukueba:

I'd say you've been hoodwinked.
As a Customs Official, he'll deny all knowledge of any money you paid him - what he was doing was illegal, so I can't see him admitting anything.
It'd be hard for you to beat him with the law too, as what you were trying to do was also illegal, the car's way to old to import legally into Nigeria.

Sorry to be pessimistic, but the truth's bitter.
I'd say you've seen the last of your money.

promise72:

The last 2 ideas are really improbable. Once the initial deal is illegal, it doesnt matter how much tape recording or evidence against the guy. You lost this one. Live and learn.

I'm sorry to object to that Mr. promise, driving or buying  cars of that age is not prohibited in Nigeria but to import  cars of more than 10 years old.
Following this, I  believe that  Mr. gbokukueba simple wanted to buy an already imported 1997 Buldog as at 1998/2004.
After all, buying cars from cotonuo does not make him ineligible to buy in any other part of the country.

Who knows the importation laws better?  The custom official or layman from the streets of rumor mongers 

gbokukueba:

Thank you all for your responses, i really appreciate it.
I called him last night and tried to get the real story from him, apparently what he has been doing was to use his customers money to get cars for people like what he wanted to do for me  then suddenly he got stuck others were not forthcoming with their. He also said he park the vehicles in one custom park at the border and a rule was made that custom duties must be made on the cars before they are moved. I told him i don't believe him and there is no evidence he bought a car. I have records of payments into his account and he has been calling my wife to try and talk to me to see reason why i should not collect my money but to still wait for the car. The more reason why i am been lenient with him is because at the moment his first son is lying ill at Abuja National Hospital with kidney infection. I can alway use my wife to lure him to a place and sieze his car but i want it to be the laast resort. He said i should give him till friday if he can't pay me today that he is travelling to see his son in Abuja. Now my concern is that he said he did the custom duty for 200k and i can't pay him 1M for a 1997 Honda Bulldog. I have been fair and patient with him but he has not been truthfull and it has affected my relation with my colleague and friend. What should i do because if i report this case to ny father who is a military personnel, the guy would be in serious trouble,