A Nigerian-British businessman and social media personality, Igho Ubiribo, has died after undergoing a cosmetic penis enlargement treatment while on holiday in Thailand.
Ubiribo, 43, reportedly developed serious complications shortly after the procedure, with a UK coroner later determining that a pulmonary embolism caused his death.
The Daily Mail reported that Ubiribo, who was also known as “Tiny”, “Denisi” and “Ego”, was visiting Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to have the treatment.
The procedure, carried out at an unnamed clinic in March, involved the injection of about 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine.
Afterwards, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly returned to their Marriott hotel, where they went for a massage.
During the massage, he complained of experiencing chest pain and reportedly lost consciousness twice. He was immediately taken to Sukhumvit Hospital for treatment.
Although he was initially responsive and able to communicate with medical staff, his condition soon deteriorated.
Allen reportedly told doctors that her husband had recently undergone penis filler injections. Medical personnel suspected that he was suffering from a pulmonary embolism and planned to conduct a CT scan.
However, Ubiribo reportedly became unconscious before the scan could be performed.
He was subsequently admitted to intensive care, where medical workers carried out CPR for more than 100 minutes in an unsuccessful attempt to revive him.
He died in the early hours of March 6.
Examination reveals substance in lungs
A postmortem examination conducted in the UK later provided further evidence about the cause of his death.
According to evidence heard at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court, cellular material found inside Ubiribo’s lungs was consistent with the hyaluronic acid administered during the procedure.
Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the substance recovered from the lungs corresponded with the filler used during the treatment.
He said the findings supported a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and were also consistent with the results of an earlier autopsy conducted in Thailand.
Following the evidence, coroner Jean Harkin ruled that Ubiribo had died from a pulmonary embolism resulting from the cosmetic procedure.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel supplying the lungs becomes blocked. The condition can be fatal because it may suddenly interfere with blood circulation and put considerable pressure on the heart.
Previous medical history
Ubiribo’s medical history was also examined during the inquest.
His London doctor reportedly told the court that he had previously undergone surgery involving his joints and had been described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout.
However, the doctor indicated that Ubiribo did not have any other major underlying medical conditions.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are sometimes used as a non-surgical option for increasing penis girth. Despite their cosmetic use, such injections can carry serious risks and complications.
The Daily Mail reported that the procedures can cost thousands of dollars, while the effects of the fillers usually last for several months before the body gradually absorbs the substance.
Businessman known for luxury lifestyle
Ubiribo was also recognised for sharing aspects of his wealthy lifestyle with his followers online.
He reportedly had around 185,000 Instagram followers and owned properties in both the United States and the United Kingdom, including a Los Angeles home valued at about $1.1m and a London apartment worth roughly $600,000.
He married fashion designer and socialite Danielle Simba Allen at an elaborate ceremony in Zimbabwe in 2022.
His burial took place in London, where he was reportedly laid to rest in a gold coffin said to have cost more than $600,000.
Afrobeats superstar Davido was among those who attended the funeral. The singer was reportedly a childhood friend of Ubiribo and spoke during the ceremony.
Davido was said to have expressed shock over the death, describing Ubiribo as someone whose energy and presence would be difficult to forget.
The case has since brought renewed attention to the potential dangers of injectable cosmetic procedures.
While hyaluronic acid is widely used in aesthetic treatments, the coroner’s ruling in Ubiribo’s case established a link between the filler used in the procedure and the material later found in his lungs.
