Whenever the public utilities commission is of the opinion that any public utility or railroad has failed or is about to fail to obey any order made with respect to it, or is permitting anything or about to permit anything contrary to or in violation of law, or of an order of the commission, authorized under Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., 4909., 4921., 4923., and 4925. of the Revised Code, the attorney general, upon the request of the commission, shall commence and prosecute such action, or proceeding in mandamus, by injunction, or by other appropriate civil remedies in the name of the state, as is directed by the commission against such public utility or railroad, alleging the violation complained of and praying for proper relief. In such a case the court may make such order as is proper in the premises.