Overview

• Niger’s Council of Ministers opened an investigation led by the Ministries of Mines, Security, Higher Education and Justice after the 24-kilogram Martian meteorite NWA 16788 was sold at Sotheby’s New York in July.
• Officials have questioned the legality of its export and likened the private sale—reported at between $4.3 million and $5.3 million—to illicit trafficking, while the buyer remains anonymous.
• Sotheby’s insists that all required international procedures and documentation accompanied the meteorite’s export and says it is reviewing Niger’s concerns.
• Heritage advocates and scientists warn private ownership could limit public study and museum display of the rare specimen, which is about 70% larger than the next-biggest Martian fragment.
• President Tiani suspended exports of precious stones, semi-precious stones and meteorites nationwide last week to ensure traceability ahead of potential new regulations.