Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo, 43, suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism following a cosmetic procedure during a luxury vacation with his wife
A British-Nigerian businessman and social media influencer has died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure at a clinic in Thailand, a coroner’s inquest has ruled.
Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo, 43, who was also known as Denisi or Ego, suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism after receiving 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine injected into his penis during the procedure in March .
The injection of hyaluronic acid fillers was intended as a non-surgical method to increase penile girth, but the treatment proved fatal when cellular material from the filler travelled to his lungs, causing a blockage . Such procedures can cost up to $9,000 and typically last between six and nine months .
A Holiday Turned Tragic
Ubiribo, a popular Instagram figure with approximately 185,000 followers, was on a luxury holiday in Bangkok with his wife, fashion designer and socialite Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to undergo the procedure at an unnamed clinic .
The couple were staying at a Marriott hotel in the Thai capital. After the procedure, they went for a massage, during which Ubiribo complained of chest pain and passed out twice .
He was rushed by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially conscious and able to answer questions. His wife informed doctors about the filler injections, but Ubiribo lost consciousness before a recommended CT scan could be performed . Doctors diagnosed him with a pulmonary embolism — a life-threatening blood clot blocking a blood vessel in the lungs .
Despite being transferred to intensive care and receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation for more than 100 minutes, Ubiribo died in the early hours of March 6 .
Coroner’s Findings
A postmortem examination conducted in the United Kingdom found cellular material in Ubiribo’s lungs matching the hyaluronic acid used during the procedure . Pathologist John du Parcq confirmed the finding was consistent with a pulmonary embolism and matched the Thai autopsy results .
Coroner Jean Harkin ruled that Ubiribo died “as the result of a cosmetic procedure abroad,” with the cause of death recorded as a pulmonary embolism resulting from the injection of hyaluronic acid into the penis .
Medical records presented at the inquest revealed Ubiribo had previously undergone joint surgery, was pre-diabetic, and suffered from gout, but had no other significant medical conditions .
A Lavish Life and Legacy
Known for documenting his affluent lifestyle on social media, Ubiribo owned a $1.1 million home in Los Angeles’s Crenshaw neighbourhood and a $600,000 apartment in Shepherd’s Bush, West London . He married Allen in 2022 in a lavish ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe, reportedly costing $473,000 .
His funeral in London in May reflected his extravagant tastes. Ubiribo was laid to rest in a gold coffin reportedly costing more than $745,000 .
Mourners included his childhood friend, Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido, celebrity barman Cubana Chief Priest, and Pastor Tobi Adegboyega . Speaking at the funeral, Davido described Ubiribo’s death as “heavy” and “not real,” saying: “A man of so much energy, so much presence. The silence is heavy. He is not someone I ever thought I would be speaking about in the past tense” .
Cubana Chief Priest paid tribute on social media, writing: “Rest Easy Brother… Even In Death, The Lifestyle Was Kept For You. Today London Stood Still For You Tiny, We Love You, We Celebrate You and We Will Never Forget You Brother” .
Medical Warnings
The case has drawn renewed attention to the risks associated with cosmetic penile filler procedures. British urology experts have previously warned of potentially devastating complications, including loss of sensation, erectile dysfunction, infection, inflammation, and scarring .
Professor Vaibhav Modgil, an NHS andrology specialist and consultant urological surgeon, said the procedure could have devastating consequences for patients .
While hyaluronic acid is widely used in cosmetic treatments, Ubiribo’s case demonstrates the potentially fatal complications that can arise when such substances enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs .
