A 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, Igho Ubiribo, has died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure while on holiday in Thailand.
According to the Daily Mail, a UK coroner ruled that the cosmetic procedure caused a fatal pulmonary embolism.
Ubiribo, who was also known by the nicknames “Tiny”, “Denisi” and “Ego”, was reportedly on a luxury holiday in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to undergo the procedure.
The Daily Mail reported that 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine were injected into Ubiribo’s penis at an unnamed clinic in Thailand in March.
After the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly returned to their Marriott hotel, where they went for a massage.
During the massage, he complained of chest pain and subsequently lost consciousness twice.
He was taken by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially able to respond to questions.
Evidence presented at an inquest at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court showed that Allen told doctors her husband had recently undergone penis filler injections.
Doctors suspected that Ubiribo had suffered a pulmonary embolism and recommended a CT scan. However, he reportedly lost consciousness before the scan could be performed.
He was subsequently transferred to intensive care, where medical staff carried out cardiopulmonary resuscitation for more than 100 minutes in an attempt to revive him.
Ubiribo died in the early hours of March 6.
Postmortem findings
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 that the material found in Ubiribo’s lungs matched the substance used in the cosmetic treatment.
He said the findings were consistent with a pulmonary embolism and also corresponded with the results of an autopsy conducted in Thailand.
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 severely restrict blood flow to the lungs and place significant strain on the heart.
Medical history
The Daily Mail reported that Ubiribo’s primary care doctor in London provided information about his medical history during the inquest.
He had previously undergone surgery on his joints and had been described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout.
However, the doctor reportedly said he had no other significant medical conditions.
Penis fillers containing hyaluronic acid are used as a non-surgical method of increasing penile girth. However, injectable cosmetic fillers can carry risks, particularly when procedures are performed outside regulated medical settings.
The Daily Mail reported that such procedures can cost thousands of dollars, while the effects of hyaluronic acid fillers generally last several months before the material is gradually absorbed by the body.
Lavish lifestyle
Ubiribo was known for documenting his affluent lifestyle on social media and had about 185,000 followers on Instagram.
The businessman reportedly owned a home in Los Angeles valued at about $1.1 million and an apartment in London worth around $600,000.
He married Allen, a fashion designer and socialite, in a lavish ceremony in Zimbabwe in 2022.
Following his death, Ubiribo was buried in London in a gold coffin, with reports putting its cost at more than $600,000.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido was among those who attended the funeral.
Davido, who was described as a childhood friend of Ubiribo, reportedly spoke at the ceremony and expressed shock at his death.
He described Ubiribo as a man of great energy and presence, saying his death was difficult to accept.
The case has drawn renewed attention to the potential risks associated with cosmetic penis enlargement procedures involving injectable fillers.
While hyaluronic acid is widely used in cosmetic treatments, the inquest heard that material consistent with the filler used in Ubiribo’s procedure was found in his lungs.
The coroner’s conclusion was based on evidence linking the material found in his lungs to the hyaluronic acid administered during the cosmetic procedure.
