A 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, Igho Ubiribo, has died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure involving hyaluronic acid fillers during a holiday in Thailand.
According to the Daily Mail, a UK coroner ruled that Ubiribo died from a fatal pulmonary embolism linked to the cosmetic procedure.
Ubiribo, who was also known by the nicknames “Tiny,” “Denisi” and “Ego,” was reportedly vacationing in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to undergo the procedure at an unnamed clinic in March.
The report said about 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine were injected into his penis.
After the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly returned to their Marriott hotel and went for a massage. During the massage, he complained of chest pain and subsequently lost consciousness twice.
He was rushed by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially responsive. His wife reportedly told doctors that he had recently undergone penis filler injections.
Doctors suspected that he had suffered a pulmonary embolism and recommended a CT scan. However, Ubiribo reportedly lost consciousness before the scan could be performed.
He was transferred to an intensive care unit, where medical personnel carried out cardiopulmonary resuscitation for more than 100 minutes in an attempt to revive him.
Postmortem links death to filler
A postmortem examination conducted in the UK later found cellular material in Ubiribo’s lungs that was consistent with the hyaluronic acid used in the procedure.
Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court that the material found in Ubiribo’s lungs matched the substance used in the cosmetic treatment.
According to the pathologist, the findings were consistent with a pulmonary embolism and also corresponded with findings from a Thai autopsy.
Coroner Jean Harkin subsequently concluded that Ubiribo died from a pulmonary embolism caused by the cosmetic procedure.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel supplying the lungs becomes blocked. It can be life-threatening because the blockage can suddenly restrict blood flow to the lungs and place significant strain on the heart.
Evidence presented at the inquest also indicated that Ubiribo had previously undergone joint surgery and had been described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout. His primary care doctor, however, reportedly said he had no other significant medical conditions.
Influencer buried in London
Ubiribo was known for showcasing his affluent lifestyle on social media and reportedly had about 185,000 followers on Instagram.
He reportedly owned a home in Los Angeles valued at approximately $1.1 million and an apartment in London worth about $600,000.
He married fashion designer and socialite Danielle Simba Allen in a lavish ceremony in Zimbabwe in 2022.
Following his death, Ubiribo was buried in London in a gold coffin reportedly costing more than $600,000.
Afrobeats star Davido was among those who attended the funeral. The singer, described as Ubiribo’s childhood friend, reportedly spoke at the ceremony and expressed shock over his death.
The case has renewed concerns about the potential risks associated with cosmetic penis enlargement procedures involving injectable fillers.
While hyaluronic acid is widely used in cosmetic treatments, the inquest highlighted the possibility of severe and potentially fatal complications when such substances are injected into the body.
