Active and CDN you bring up some good points that are design decisions, the opening post asked for the codes position.
312.8 Enclosures for Switches or Overcurrent Devices allows the use of the panels as raceways and there is no NEC section prohibiting branches to be run with feeders.
It can be pretty tough to add a nipple between two panels once they are already mounted and piped which I would bet is the case here.
Bob
Bob Badger Construction & Maintenance Electrician Massachusetts
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