This legend has never been proved with regards to how and when Obio came to live at the area. There is a speculation that Obio lived on the banks of the Waja River in the neighborhood of the Nwakpu shrine which served as the common deity of the clan. Some elders hold that Obio lived at the place the Ahia Makara is presently situated. It Was alleged that Obio was a hunter who wandered in those area for hunting business. He was married to a wife named Okutarangi and had two sons; Evo and Apara. Ancient narrative of the community holds that Evo was the first son of Obio and was a farmer while Apara, the second son was a hunter. The elders claim that as Evo was a tiller of ground, he remained at home while Apara moved from place to place in search of greener pastures. When their mother died, Evo being at home sent words to his brother to return home to make his contribution towards her burial. Apara did not return for his mother's burial, the whole burial activities were carried out by Evo who after decided to seize all the inheritance of the family leaving none for Apara. Some of the inheritance that Evo seized from Apara includes a number of slaves that their father bought for Apara. The slaves later left Evo and returned to Apara. The dispute arising from the management of their father's inheritance separated both brothers and created enmity among their descendants. When both brothers were separated, Evo settled at Woji while Apara settled at the area between Rumu-Ola and Rumu-Igbo where Rumu-Apara today have a meeting place. From these ancestors, their sons left to form families, extended families and compounds of Obio group. Despite their differences, they acknowledged a common ancestor. Before the advent of British rule in the area, there were continuous rivalry between Rumu-Evo and Rumu-Apara. The presence of the number of Aros in the Area is accounted to have risen from the dispute that ensued between both brotherly communities. For instance, it accounted that for sake of curtailing the rivalry, the Nye-Nwe Eli of Woji went to Arochukwu to invite Aros to come and help him settle the dispute with Rumu-Apara. Rumu-Apara followed suit, went to Arochukwu and asked the Aros to come and help him resolve the conflict with the Rumu-Evo. These actions brought about many Aros that settled in the community. Prior to the British rule, the Aros played a vital role in the existence of the people of Obio by helping to settle disputes as well as acquiring important positions in the administration of both brotherly clans.
Until 1929, the Obio area was under Degema Division. The first town visited by the British troops was Woji. That marked the beginning of British rule in the area. A native minor court was established at Rumuokwurusi in 1902. The bench was selected by either compounds or the District Officer. The Rumuokwurusi native court had judicial authority over all entire area identified as Obio group of Ikwerre land. The territory is bounded on the West and North West by Native Court area, bounded on the North by Etche clan of Okonmoko area, bounded on the East by Mbolli Native Court area and on the South by Okrika Native Court area and Port Harcourt Township. The Rumuokwurusi Court was upgraded to "C Grade" in 1923. In 1929, there was purposed for demolishing of the court. The move was frustrated by the District Officer and a band of troops. The court was assessed as unsuccessful and been hated by the people. There were cases of corrupt practices by members as some of them were imprisoned. The court was suspended in 1930. Another grade "D" court was established at Woji of the same Obio group in 1930. The Rumuokwurusi Native Court had a court clerk and six court messengers that were permanent staff. All the officers drew large salary for their duties. None of them was a native of the community of the Obio group. The court clerk issued all the warrants, summonses and took down a complete record of the proceeding in English.
