The cause of death of British-Nigerian businessman Igho Ubiribo, also known as Tiny, has been revealed months after his passing. An inquest at Inner West London Coroner's Court heard that a postmortem identified filler material in his lungs, consistent with a pulmonary blood clot blockage. Ubiribo, 43, a close friend of Nigerian singer Davido, died after receiving 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine injections at an unnamed clinic in Bangkok in March.
Procedure and Collapse in Bangkok
Ubiribo was staying at a Marriott hotel in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he opted to undergo the procedure. Following his appointment at the clinic, he went for a massage. During that session, he began complaining of chest pain and lost consciousness on two separate occasions.
He was transported by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where staff noted he was initially responsive and able to answer questions. His wife informed medical staff about the filler injections. At the same time, his primary care doctor back in London provided details of his broader medical history, which included a past joint operation, pre-diabetes, and gout.
Hospital Response and Fatal Outcome
Thai doctors recommended a CT scan, but Ubiribo lost consciousness before it could be carried out. Medics determined he had suffered a pulmonary blood clot blockage, a condition in which a blood clot blocks a vessel in the lungs, and he was moved to intensive care. Despite CPR being administered for 100 minutes, he did not survive.
The inquest heard that a postmortem conducted in the UK identified material consistent with hyaluronic acid filler in Ubiribo's lungs. Pathologist John du Parcq concluded that the procedure caused the fatal blood clot blockage. In his report, du Parcq stated: "Cellular material found in Mr Ubiribo's lungs matched the hyaluronic acid used in his personal part filler jab, in keeping with a pulmonary blood clot blockage."
Burial and Tribute from Davido
Ubiribo's funeral was held in Kensington, where mourners gathered to pay their final respects. He was buried in a gold coffin reportedly valued at over $600,000. Among those in attendance was Nigerian Afrobeat star Davido, a childhood friend of the deceased, who delivered a tribute at the service and described the loss as "heavy," adding that the events "don't feel real."
Doctors and medical professionals have repeatedly cautioned against such procedures, warning of potentially life-threatening complications. The case has since drawn significant attention online, with many social media users reacting to the story. Social media reactions included comments from users such as @drgozy, who wrote, "Tiny? Oh. We can now understand the source of the name," and @attih_soul, who said, "What a stup!d way to d!e. If na 2 inches you get, manage am like that. Life no suppose hard." Other reactions included @atinuke_tinuade advising men not to let women pressure them, and @pebel_kitchen commenting, "Inukwa! This life no balance oo some people no get Money while some wey get dey use am buy extra gbola extra manhood. God abeg oo."
