A 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media personality, Igho Ubiribo, has died after undergoing a cosmetic penis-enlargement procedure while on holiday in Thailand.
Ubiribo, popularly known as “Tiny,” “Denisi” or “Ego,” reportedly died from a pulmonary embolism after receiving injectable fillers at a clinic in Bangkok.
According to evidence presented at an inquest at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court, Ubiribo had 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine injected into his penis at an unnamed Thai clinic in March.
He was holidaying in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he underwent the procedure.
Afterwards, the couple reportedly went for a massage at their Marriott hotel. During the massage, Ubiribo complained of chest pain and subsequently collapsed twice.
He was rushed by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially responsive. His wife reportedly informed doctors that he had recently undergone a penile filler procedure.
Doctors suspected a pulmonary embolism and recommended a CT scan. However, Ubiribo lost consciousness before the scan could be performed.
Medical personnel subsequently transferred him to intensive care and 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.
Post-mortem links death to cosmetic procedure
A subsequent post-mortem examination in the United Kingdom found cellular material in Ubiribo’s lungs consistent with the hyaluronic acid used in the procedure.
Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the material recovered from the lungs corresponded with the substance injected into Ubiribo and was consistent with a pulmonary embolism.
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 become rapidly life-threatening by restricting blood flow through the lungs and placing significant strain on the heart.
Medical warning over genital fillers
The case has renewed attention on the risks associated with injectable fillers used for genital cosmetic procedures.
Hyaluronic acid is widely used in cosmetic medicine, including facial treatments, but its use for penile enlargement carries potential complications. A review published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy documented cases of non-thrombotic pulmonary embolism associated with genital aesthetic injections, including penile augmentation. The researchers described pulmonary embolism as a potentially fatal complication of such procedures.
The medical literature also indicates that symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing following a genital filler procedure should be treated as an emergency, particularly because severe complications can develop rapidly.
A life of luxury
Before his death, Ubiribo was known for documenting his affluent lifestyle on social media, where he reportedly had about 185,000 Instagram followers.
Reports said he owned property in Los Angeles and London and frequently showcased luxury travel and other aspects of his lifestyle.
He was married to Zimbabwean fashion designer and socialite Danielle Simba Allen. The couple’s lavish wedding attracted considerable attention in Zimbabwe and Nigeria, while Ubiribo was also known to have been a close associate and childhood friend of Afrobeats star Davido.
Ubiribo was later buried in London, where Davido was among those who attended his funeral and paid tribute to him.
His death has now placed a fresh spotlight on the growing popularity of cosmetic procedures and the importance of understanding the risks involved before undergoing elective treatments.
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