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 Ubiribo died from a fatal pulmonary embolism linked to the cosmetic procedure.
Ubiribo, popularly known as “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 Daily Mail reported that 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 session, he complained of chest pain before losing consciousness twice.
He was subsequently taken by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially responsive to medical staff.
Evidence presented at an inquest at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court showed that Allen informed doctors that her husband had recently undergone penis filler injections.
Doctors suspected he had suffered a pulmonary embolism and recommended a CT scan. However, Ubiribo reportedly lost consciousness before the scan could be conducted.
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.
Ubiribo died in the early hours of March 6.
A subsequent postmortem examination in the UK found cellular material in his lungs consistent with the hyaluronic acid used in the penis filler.
Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the substance found in Ubiribo’s lungs matched the material used during the cosmetic procedure.
He said the findings were consistent with a pulmonary embolism and were also in line 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 it may suddenly restrict blood flow to the lungs and place significant strain on the heart.
During the inquest, Ubiribo’s primary care doctor in London also provided information about his medical history.
He had previously undergone joint surgery and was described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout. However, his 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. Medical professionals, however, have warned that injectable cosmetic fillers can carry serious complications.
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 substance is gradually absorbed by the body.
Ubiribo was known for showcasing his affluent lifestyle on social media and 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.
Ubiribo married Allen, a fashion designer and socialite, in a lavish ceremony in Zimbabwe in 2022.
Following his death, he was buried in London in a gold coffin reportedly valued at more than $600,000.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido attended the funeral and was described as a childhood friend of Ubiribo.
Davido reportedly spoke at the funeral, expressing shock over his friend’s death and describing him as a man of great energy and presence.
Ubiribo’s death has renewed concerns about the potential risks associated with cosmetic penis enlargement procedures involving injectable fillers.
Although hyaluronic acid is widely used in cosmetic treatments, evidence presented at the inquest linked the substance used in Ubiribo’s procedure to material found in his lungs, leading the coroner to conclude that the procedure caused the fatal pulmonary embolism.
