Tragic Death of Nigerian-British Businessman Following Cosmetic Surgery in Thailand

Igho Ubiribo, a 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, has died after undergoing a cosmetic penis enlargement procedure while vacationing in Thailand. The tragic incident occurred in March and has raised concerns about the safety of cosmetic surgeries conducted abroad. Ubiribo, who had a substantial following of approximately 185,000 on Instagram, was reportedly on holiday with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he underwent the procedure at a clinic in Bangkok.

According to the inquest held at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court, Ubiribo received 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine during the procedure. Following the treatment, he began to experience severe chest pain and lost consciousness twice while receiving a massage with his wife. Emergency medical services were called, and he was transported to Sukhumvit Hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel in the lungs.

Despite the medical team's efforts, which included more than 100 minutes of attempted resuscitation, Ubiribo succumbed to the condition before a CT scan could be performed. A postmortem examination revealed that cellular material found in his lungs matched the hyaluronic acid used in the filler injection, providing crucial evidence supporting the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

“Ubiribo died as the result of a cosmetic procedure abroad,” concluded Coroner Jean Harkin, who recorded the cause of death as a pulmonary embolism resulting from the injection of hyaluronic acid into the penis.

The repercussions of this incident extend beyond Ubiribo's immediate family and friends; it raises significant concerns regarding the safety regulations and practices surrounding cosmetic surgeries, particularly in foreign clinics. Ubiribo was laid to rest in London in May, with his funeral attended by notable figures, including Nigerian singer Davido, signifying his impact and presence in both the Nigerian and British business communities.