In what could prove to be a major marketing and legal embarrassment
for Unilever Nigeria Limited (UNL), a 26-year-old man has filed a case
against the company, which owns the Close Up toothpaste brand, for
‘cheating’ and causing him ‘mental suffering’.
The plaintiff has cited his failure to attract any girl at all even
though he’s been using Close-Up toothpaste for over seven years now.
Close-Up advertisements suggest that the product helps men in instantly
attracting women by letting their breaths out.
Anthony Olatunfe, the petitioner,
also surrendered all his used, unused and half-used Close-Up tubes to
the court, and demanded a laboratory test of the products. Anthony was
pushed to take this step when his female boss slapped his face when he
tried to kiss her after brushing his teeth with the Close-Up toothpaste.
“Where is the Close-Up effect? I’ve
been waiting for it for over seven years. Right from my college to now
in my office, no girl ever agreed to even go out for a tea or coffee
with me, even though I’m sure they could smell my breath. I always brush
my teeth with so much close up gel to make sure the girls get turned on
by my fresh breath as they usually show on TV. “
Anthony claims that he had been
using the toothpaste as per the company’s instructions even since he
first bought them. He argued that if he couldn't experience the Close-Up
effect despite using the product as directed, either the company was
making false claims or selling fake products.
“I had always stored them in cool
and dry place, and kept them away from direct light or heat. I brushed
my teeth morning and night. I did everything they instructed. I even
beat up my 5-year-old nephew for coming near my toothpaste, as they had
instructed to keep away from children’s reach. And yet, all I get is a
slap from my boss.” Anthony expressed his frustration.
Unilever has officially declined to
comment on the case citing the subject to be sub judice, but our
sources inform that the company is worried over the possible outcomes of
the case. The company might argue that Anthony was hopelessly
unattractive and unintelligent and didn't possess the bare minimum
requirements for the Close-Up effect to take place. Officially Unilever
has not issued any statement, but legal experts believe that they could
have tough time convincing the court.
“Unilever might be tempted to argue
that Anthony is too ugly to attract a girl, but it is very risky. There
is no data to substantiate the supposition that unattractive and
unintelligent men don’t attract women. In fact some of the best looking
women have been known to marry and date absolutely unattractive guys.
I’d suggest that the company settles this issue out of court.” Barrister
Festus Keyamo said.
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