A 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, Igho Ubiribo, has died after suffering a fatal pulmonary embolism following a cosmetic penis enlargement procedure in Thailand.
Ubiribo, who was on holiday in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, reportedly underwent the procedure at an unnamed clinic in March, where hyaluronic acid and lidocaine were injected into his penis.
According to the Daily Mail, a UK coroner subsequently concluded that the cosmetic treatment was responsible for the embolism that claimed his life.
Evidence presented during an inquest at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court showed that Ubiribo and his wife went for a massage at their Marriott hotel after the procedure.
During the session, he complained of chest pain before losing consciousness twice.
He was rushed to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially responsive.
His wife reportedly informed the attending doctors about the recent penis filler injections, prompting concerns that he could have developed a pulmonary embolism.
Doctors recommended a CT scan, but Ubiribo reportedly became unconscious before the examination could be conducted.
He was later taken to the intensive care unit, where medical personnel performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for more than 100 minutes.
He eventually died in the early hours of March 6.
A postmortem examination carried out in the United Kingdom later detected cellular material in his lungs consistent with the hyaluronic acid used during the cosmetic procedure.
Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the substance found in Ubiribo’s lungs corresponded with the filler used during the treatment and supported the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
Coroner Jean Harkin subsequently ruled that Ubiribo died from a pulmonary embolism caused by complications arising from the cosmetic procedure.
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel supplying the lungs becomes blocked. It can rapidly become life-threatening by restricting blood flow and placing considerable strain on the heart.
Ubiribo was reportedly known online for showcasing an affluent lifestyle and had about 185,000 followers on Instagram.
He was said to own a property in Los Angeles valued at about $1.1m and an apartment in London worth approximately $600,000.
He married Allen, a Zimbabwean fashion designer and socialite, at a lavish ceremony in Zimbabwe in 2022.
Following his death, Ubiribo was buried in London in a gold coffin reportedly costing more than $600,000. Afrobeats star Davido, said to have been his childhood friend, was among those who attended the funeral.
Davido reportedly expressed shock at his death, describing Ubiribo as a man whose energy and presence would be difficult to replace.
The case has since highlighted concerns over the potential dangers associated with injectable cosmetic fillers, including procedures aimed at increasing penis girth.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are commonly used in cosmetic treatments and are generally absorbed by the body over time.
However, medical complications can occur, particularly when such procedures result in the substance entering the bloodstream.
