A 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, Igho Ubiribo, has died following a cosmetic penis enlargement procedure he underwent while on holiday in Thailand.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, a UK coroner concluded that the procedure resulted in a fatal pulmonary embolism.
Ubiribo, who was also known by the names “Tiny,” “Denisi” and “Ego,” was reportedly vacationing in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to have the procedure.
The cosmetic treatment involved the injection of 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine into his penis at a clinic in Thailand in March.
After the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly returned to their Marriott hotel for a massage. During the session, he developed chest pain and lost consciousness twice.
He was rushed to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially responsive. During the subsequent medical assessment, his wife told doctors about the recent filler injections.
Doctors suspected a pulmonary embolism and planned to conduct a CT scan, but Ubiribo reportedly became unconscious before the examination could take place.
He was later moved to intensive care, where medical personnel attempted to resuscitate him for more than 100 minutes. He died in the early hours of March 6.
Inquest links procedure to death
A postmortem examination carried out in the UK found cellular material in Ubiribo’s lungs that was consistent with the hyaluronic acid used in the cosmetic treatment.
Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the substance found in the lungs corresponded with the material injected during the procedure. He said the findings were consistent with a pulmonary embolism and also agreed with the results of an autopsy conducted in Thailand.
Following the evidence presented at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court, coroner Jean Harkin ruled that Ubiribo’s death was caused by a pulmonary embolism linked to the cosmetic procedure.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel supplying the lungs becomes blocked. It can become life-threatening by restricting blood flow and putting significant strain on the heart.
Background and public profile
Information presented during the inquest indicated that Ubiribo had previously undergone joint surgery and had been described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout. His doctor, however, reportedly said he had no other major medical conditions.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are used as a non-surgical option for increasing penile girth. However, the case has highlighted the potential dangers associated with injectable cosmetic procedures.
Ubiribo was also known for showcasing his affluent lifestyle to his large social media following, which reportedly stood at about 185,000 Instagram followers.
He owned properties in Los Angeles and London and married Zimbabwean fashion designer and socialite Danielle Simba Allen in a lavish ceremony in 2022.
His funeral was held in London, where he was reportedly buried in a gold coffin said to have cost more than $600,000.
Afrobeats star Davido, described as Ubiribo’s childhood friend, attended the funeral and reportedly spoke about his death, expressing disbelief and describing the businessman as someone with remarkable energy and presence.
The circumstances surrounding Ubiribo’s death have renewed attention on the risks that can accompany cosmetic procedures involving injectable fillers, even when the substances used are commonly found in aesthetic treatments.
