An action may be brought by the Attorney General in the name of the State upon his own information or upon the complaint of any private party or by a private party interested on leave granted by a circuit judge against the parties offending in the following cases:

1. (1) When any person shall usurp, intrude into, or unlawfully hold or exercise any public office, civil or military, or any franchise within this State or any office in a corporation, created by the authority of this State;
2. (2) When any public officer, civil or military, shall have done or suffered an act which, by the provisions of law, shall make a forfeiture of his office; or
3. (3) When any association or number of persons shall act within this State as a corporation without being duly incorporated.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 10-2256; 1952 Code SECTION 10-2256; 1942 Code SECTION 831; 1932 Code SECTION 831; Civ. P. '22 SECTION 779; Civ. P. '12 SECTION 466; Civ. P. '02 SECTION 428; 1870 (14) 523 SECTION 447.