A 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, Igho Ubiribo, has died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure involving injectable fillers while on holiday in Thailand.
The cosmetic procedure was linked to a fatal pulmonary embolism, according to findings by a UK coroner reported by the Daily Mail on Saturday.
Ubiribo, who was also known as “Tiny”, “Denisi” and “Ego”, was reportedly holidaying in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to have the cosmetic treatment.
According to evidence presented during an inquest at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court, 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine were injected into Ubiribo’s penis at an unnamed clinic in Thailand in March.
He and his wife subsequently returned to their Marriott hotel, where they reportedly went for a massage.
During the massage, Ubiribo complained of chest pain before losing consciousness twice.
He was rushed by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially responsive and able to answer questions.
Allen reportedly informed the medical team that her husband had recently undergone penis filler injections.
Doctors suspected that he had suffered a pulmonary embolism and recommended that he undergo a CT scan.
However, Ubiribo reportedly lost consciousness before the scan could be performed.
He was transferred to an intensive care unit, where doctors carried out cardiopulmonary resuscitation for more than 100 minutes in an attempt to save his life.
He died in the early hours of March 6.
Postmortem links death to filler
A subsequent postmortem examination conducted in the UK found cellular material in Ubiribo’s lungs that was consistent with the hyaluronic acid used in the cosmetic procedure.
Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the material found in the lungs matched the substance injected during the penis enlargement procedure.
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, potentially cutting off blood flow and placing considerable strain on the heart. Severe cases can result in sudden death.
Medical history
Evidence from Ubiribo’s primary care doctor in London indicated that he had previously undergone surgery on his joints and had been described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout.
However, the doctor reportedly told the inquest that Ubiribo did not have any other significant underlying medical conditions.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are used in some cosmetic penis enlargement procedures as a non-surgical method of increasing penile girth.
Although hyaluronic acid is widely used in cosmetic medicine, injectable procedures can carry risks, including complications from the accidental entry or migration of filler into blood vessels.
The effects of such fillers are generally temporary, with the material gradually absorbed by the body over time.
Influencer known for lavish lifestyle
Ubiribo had built a substantial following on social media, where he frequently documented his affluent lifestyle. He reportedly had about 185,000 followers on Instagram.
He was also reported to own a house in Los Angeles valued at about $1.1m and an apartment in London worth approximately $600,000.
Ubiribo married Allen, a Zimbabwean fashion designer and socialite, in a lavish ceremony in Zimbabwe in 2022.
His funeral was held in London following his death, with reports stating that he was buried in a gold coffin said to have cost more than $600,000.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido attended the funeral and reportedly spoke in honour of Ubiribo, whom he described as a childhood friend.
Davido expressed shock over the businessman’s death, recalling his energy and strong presence.
The case has renewed concerns about the risks associated with cosmetic procedures involving injectable fillers.
While hyaluronic acid is commonly used in cosmetic treatments, the coroner’s finding in Ubiribo’s case was based on evidence linking material found in his lungs to the filler administered during the procedure in Thailand.
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