diff --git a/e2e/relayer/relayer.go b/e2e/relayer/relayer.go
index dc663379d01..5fc73bcc9ba 100644
--- a/e2e/relayer/relayer.go
+++ b/e2e/relayer/relayer.go
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func New(t *testing.T, cfg Config, logger *zap.Logger, dockerClient *dockerclien
 	case Hermes:
 		return newHermesRelayer(t, cfg.Tag, logger, dockerClient, network, cfg.Image)
 	default:
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("unknown relayer specified: %s", cfg.Type))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("unknown relayer specified: %s", cfg.Type))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/e2e/testsuite/testsuite.go b/e2e/testsuite/testsuite.go
index bf8e351db7d..a4ec8b0f340 100644
--- a/e2e/testsuite/testsuite.go
+++ b/e2e/testsuite/testsuite.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package testsuite
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -272,7 +273,7 @@ func (s *E2ETestSuite) RecoverRelayerWallets(ctx context.Context, ibcrelayer ibc
 // StartRelayer starts the given ibcrelayer.
 func (s *E2ETestSuite) StartRelayer(ibcrelayer ibc.Relayer) {
 	if s.startRelayerFn == nil {
-		panic("cannot start relayer before it is created!")
+		panic(errors.New("cannot start relayer before it is created!"))
 	}
 
 	s.startRelayerFn(ibcrelayer)
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/ibc_middleware.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/ibc_middleware.go
index bf6f047bbef..b51592a12d8 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/ibc_middleware.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/ibc_middleware.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package controller
 
 import (
+	"errors"
+
 	errorsmod "cosmossdk.io/errors"
 
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
@@ -239,7 +241,7 @@ func (IBCMiddleware) SendPacket(
 	timeoutTimestamp uint64,
 	data []byte,
 ) (uint64, error) {
-	panic("SendPacket not supported for ICA controller module. Please use SendTx")
+	panic(errors.New("SendPacket not supported for ICA controller module. Please use SendTx"))
 }
 
 // WriteAcknowledgement implements the ICS4 Wrapper interface
@@ -249,7 +251,7 @@ func (IBCMiddleware) WriteAcknowledgement(
 	packet ibcexported.PacketI,
 	ack ibcexported.Acknowledgement,
 ) error {
-	panic("WriteAcknowledgement not supported for ICA controller module")
+	panic(errors.New("WriteAcknowledgement not supported for ICA controller module"))
 }
 
 // GetAppVersion returns the interchain accounts metadata.
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/genesis.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/genesis.go
index 10655ff3367..c943eab8304 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/genesis.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/genesis.go
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, keeper Keeper, state genesistypes.ControllerGe
 
 			// use the controller scoped keeper to claim the port capability
 			if err := keeper.ClaimCapability(ctx, capability, host.PortPath(portID)); err != nil {
-				panic(fmt.Sprintf("could not claim port capability: %v", err))
+				panic(fmt.Errorf("could not claim port capability: %v", err))
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/handshake.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/handshake.go
index ea87c19bf40..0ce3802b48e 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/handshake.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/handshake.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func (k Keeper) OnChanOpenInit(
 	if found {
 		channel, found := k.channelKeeper.GetChannel(ctx, portID, activeChannelID)
 		if !found {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("active channel mapping set for %s but channel does not exist in channel store", activeChannelID))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("active channel mapping set for %s but channel does not exist in channel store", activeChannelID))
 		}
 
 		if channel.IsOpen() {
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ func (k Keeper) OnChanOpenInit(
 
 		appVersion, found := k.GetAppVersion(ctx, portID, activeChannelID)
 		if !found {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("active channel mapping set for %s, but channel does not exist in channel store", activeChannelID))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("active channel mapping set for %s, but channel does not exist in channel store", activeChannelID))
 		}
 
 		if !icatypes.IsPreviousMetadataEqual(appVersion, metadata) {
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/keeper.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/keeper.go
index 78980421d65..0ac0ececc24 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/controller/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package keeper
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ func NewKeeper(
 	}
 
 	if strings.TrimSpace(authority) == "" {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("authority must be non-empty"))
+		panic(errors.New("authority must be non-empty"))
 	}
 
 	return Keeper{
@@ -290,7 +291,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetParams(ctx sdk.Context) types.Params {
 	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
 	bz := store.Get([]byte(types.ParamsKey))
 	if bz == nil { // only panic on unset params and not on empty params
-		panic("ica/controller params are not set in store")
+		panic(errors.New("ica/controller params are not set in store"))
 	}
 
 	var params types.Params
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/genesis.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/genesis.go
index 28d58c3f766..c4d9dc1aa0b 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/genesis.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/genesis.go
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, keeper Keeper, state genesistypes.HostGenesisS
 
 		// use the host scoped keeper to claim the port capability
 		if err := keeper.ClaimCapability(ctx, capability, host.PortPath(state.Port)); err != nil {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("could not claim port capability: %v", err))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("could not claim port capability: %v", err))
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, keeper Keeper, state genesistypes.HostGenesisS
 	}
 
 	if err := state.Params.Validate(); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("could not set ica host params at genesis: %v", err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("could not set ica host params at genesis: %v", err))
 	}
 	keeper.SetParams(ctx, state.Params)
 }
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/handshake.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/handshake.go
index 6e21866c18f..f3a202a3bae 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/handshake.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/handshake.go
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func (k Keeper) OnChanOpenTry(
 	if found {
 		channel, found := k.channelKeeper.GetChannel(ctx, portID, activeChannelID)
 		if !found {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("active channel mapping set for %s but channel does not exist in channel store", activeChannelID))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("active channel mapping set for %s but channel does not exist in channel store", activeChannelID))
 		}
 
 		if channel.IsOpen() {
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func (k Keeper) OnChanOpenTry(
 
 		appVersion, found := k.GetAppVersion(ctx, portID, activeChannelID)
 		if !found {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("active channel mapping set for %s, but channel does not exist in channel store", activeChannelID))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("active channel mapping set for %s, but channel does not exist in channel store", activeChannelID))
 		}
 
 		if !icatypes.IsPreviousMetadataEqual(appVersion, metadata) {
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/keeper.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/keeper.go
index b60ac4d652c..d063c9a932a 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package keeper
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ func NewKeeper(
 ) Keeper {
 	// ensure ibc interchain accounts module account is set
 	if addr := accountKeeper.GetModuleAddress(icatypes.ModuleName); addr == nil {
-		panic("the Interchain Accounts module account has not been set")
+		panic(errors.New("the Interchain Accounts module account has not been set"))
 	}
 
 	// set KeyTable if it has not already been set
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ func NewKeeper(
 	}
 
 	if strings.TrimSpace(authority) == "" {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("authority must be non-empty"))
+		panic(errors.New("authority must be non-empty"))
 	}
 
 	return Keeper{
@@ -243,7 +244,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetParams(ctx sdk.Context) types.Params {
 	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
 	bz := store.Get([]byte(types.ParamsKey))
 	if bz == nil { // only panic on unset params and not on empty params
-		panic("ica/host params are not set in store")
+		panic(errors.New("ica/host params are not set in store"))
 	}
 
 	var params types.Params
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/keeper_test.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/keeper_test.go
index 95dd3f8b89c..a300832818d 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/keeper_test.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/host/keeper/keeper_test.go
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ func NewICAPath(chainA, chainB *ibctesting.TestChain, encoding string) *ibctesti
 	case icatypes.EncodingProto3JSON:
 		version = TestVersionWithJSONEncoding
 	default:
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("unsupported encoding type: %s", encoding))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("unsupported encoding type: %s", encoding))
 	}
 
 	path.EndpointA.ChannelConfig.PortID = icatypes.HostPortID
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/module.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/module.go
index 0236b295852..0c60f84185a 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/module.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/module.go
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ func (am AppModule) InitModule(ctx sdk.Context, controllerParams controllertypes
 
 	if am.hostKeeper != nil {
 		if err := hostParams.Validate(); err != nil {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("could not set ica host params at initialization: %v", err))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("could not set ica host params at initialization: %v", err))
 		}
 
 		hostkeeper.InitGenesis(ctx, *am.hostKeeper, genesistypes.HostGenesisState{
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ func (am AppModule) RegisterServices(cfg module.Configurator) {
 
 	controllerMigrator := controllerkeeper.NewMigrator(am.controllerKeeper)
 	if err := cfg.RegisterMigration(types.ModuleName, 1, controllerMigrator.AssertChannelCapabilityMigrations); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to migrate interchainaccounts app from version 1 to 2 (channel capabilities owned by controller submodule check): %v", err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("failed to migrate interchainaccounts app from version 1 to 2 (channel capabilities owned by controller submodule check): %v", err))
 	}
 
 	hostMigrator := hostkeeper.NewMigrator(am.hostKeeper)
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ func (am AppModule) RegisterServices(cfg module.Configurator) {
 		}
 		return controllerMigrator.MigrateParams(ctx)
 	}); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to migrate interchainaccounts app from version 2 to 3 (self-managed params migration): %v", err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("failed to migrate interchainaccounts app from version 2 to 3 (self-managed params migration): %v", err))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/simulation/decoder.go b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/simulation/decoder.go
index e6cb57a15f2..c45dd9a0447 100644
--- a/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/simulation/decoder.go
+++ b/modules/apps/27-interchain-accounts/simulation/decoder.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ func NewDecodeStore() func(kvA, kvB kv.Pair) string {
 			return fmt.Sprintf("IsMiddlewareEnabled A: %s\nIsMiddlewareEnabled B: %s", string(kvA.Value), string(kvB.Value))
 
 		default:
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("invalid %s key prefix %s", types.ModuleName, kvA.Key))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid %s key prefix %s", types.ModuleName, kvA.Key))
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/modules/apps/29-fee/keeper/escrow.go b/modules/apps/29-fee/keeper/escrow.go
index 59a1a607a74..e21dc85fb99 100644
--- a/modules/apps/29-fee/keeper/escrow.go
+++ b/modules/apps/29-fee/keeper/escrow.go
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ func (k Keeper) DistributePacketFeesOnAcknowledgement(ctx sdk.Context, forwardRe
 		// check if refundAcc address works
 		refundAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(packetFee.RefundAddress)
 		if err != nil {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("could not parse refundAcc %s to sdk.AccAddress", packetFee.RefundAddress))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("could not parse refundAcc %s to sdk.AccAddress", packetFee.RefundAddress))
 		}
 
 		k.distributePacketFeeOnAcknowledgement(cacheCtx, refundAddr, forwardAddr, reverseRelayer, packetFee)
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ func (k Keeper) DistributePacketFeesOnTimeout(ctx sdk.Context, timeoutRelayer sd
 		// check if refundAcc address works
 		refundAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(packetFee.RefundAddress)
 		if err != nil {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("could not parse refundAcc %s to sdk.AccAddress", packetFee.RefundAddress))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("could not parse refundAcc %s to sdk.AccAddress", packetFee.RefundAddress))
 		}
 
 		k.distributePacketFeeOnTimeout(cacheCtx, refundAddr, timeoutRelayer, packetFee)
diff --git a/modules/apps/callbacks/callbacks_test.go b/modules/apps/callbacks/callbacks_test.go
index 5696a68429e..9796913cef6 100644
--- a/modules/apps/callbacks/callbacks_test.go
+++ b/modules/apps/callbacks/callbacks_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package ibccallbacks_test
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ func SetupTestingApp() (ibctesting.TestingApp, map[string]json.RawMessage) {
 func GetSimApp(chain *ibctesting.TestChain) *simapp.SimApp {
 	app, ok := chain.App.(*simapp.SimApp)
 	if !ok {
-		panic("chain is not a simapp.SimApp")
+		panic(errors.New("chain is not a simapp.SimApp"))
 	}
 	return app
 }
diff --git a/modules/apps/callbacks/ibc_middleware.go b/modules/apps/callbacks/ibc_middleware.go
index ea4835b590a..c7438df23be 100644
--- a/modules/apps/callbacks/ibc_middleware.go
+++ b/modules/apps/callbacks/ibc_middleware.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package ibccallbacks
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 
 	errorsmod "cosmossdk.io/errors"
@@ -48,15 +49,15 @@ func NewIBCMiddleware(
 	}
 
 	if ics4Wrapper == nil {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("ICS4Wrapper cannot be nil"))
+		panic(errors.New("ICS4Wrapper cannot be nil"))
 	}
 
 	if contractKeeper == nil {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("contract keeper cannot be nil"))
+		panic(errors.New("contract keeper cannot be nil"))
 	}
 
 	if maxCallbackGas == 0 {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("maxCallbackGas cannot be zero"))
+		panic(errors.New("maxCallbackGas cannot be zero"))
 	}
 
 	return IBCMiddleware{
diff --git a/modules/apps/callbacks/testing/simapp/export.go b/modules/apps/callbacks/testing/simapp/export.go
index 40891d5182e..375a9a642fc 100644
--- a/modules/apps/callbacks/testing/simapp/export.go
+++ b/modules/apps/callbacks/testing/simapp/export.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package simapp
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"log"
 
 	storetypes "cosmossdk.io/store/types"
@@ -206,7 +207,7 @@ func (app *SimApp) prepForZeroHeightGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, jailAllowedAddrs []
 		addr := sdk.ValAddress(stakingtypes.AddressFromValidatorsKey(iter.Key()))
 		validator, err := app.StakingKeeper.GetValidator(ctx, addr)
 		if err != nil {
-			panic("expected validator, not found")
+			panic(errors.New("expected validator, not found"))
 		}
 
 		validator.UnbondingHeight = 0
@@ -216,7 +217,7 @@ func (app *SimApp) prepForZeroHeightGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, jailAllowedAddrs []
 
 		err = app.StakingKeeper.SetValidator(ctx, validator)
 		if err != nil {
-			panic("couldn't set validator")
+			panic(errors.New("couldn't set validator"))
 		}
 		counter++
 	}
diff --git a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/genesis.go b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/genesis.go
index 483342c5230..0a98db41e2f 100644
--- a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/genesis.go
+++ b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/genesis.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ func (k Keeper) InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, state types.GenesisState) {
 		// and claims the returned capability
 		err := k.BindPort(ctx, state.PortId)
 		if err != nil {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("could not claim port capability: %v", err))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("could not claim port capability: %v", err))
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/keeper.go b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/keeper.go
index e3e0da974fc..782fcdb94b8 100644
--- a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package keeper
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ func NewKeeper(
 ) Keeper {
 	// ensure ibc transfer module account is set
 	if addr := authKeeper.GetModuleAddress(types.ModuleName); addr == nil {
-		panic("the IBC transfer module account has not been set")
+		panic(errors.New("the IBC transfer module account has not been set"))
 	}
 	// set KeyTable if it has not already been set
 	if !legacySubspace.HasKeyTable() {
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ func NewKeeper(
 	}
 
 	if strings.TrimSpace(authority) == "" {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("authority must be non-empty"))
+		panic(errors.New("authority must be non-empty"))
 	}
 
 	return Keeper{
@@ -128,7 +129,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetParams(ctx sdk.Context) types.Params {
 	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
 	bz := store.Get([]byte(types.ParamsKey))
 	if bz == nil { // only panic on unset params and not on empty params
-		panic("transfer params are not set in store")
+		panic(errors.New("transfer params are not set in store"))
 	}
 
 	var params types.Params
@@ -239,7 +240,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetTotalEscrowForDenom(ctx sdk.Context, denom string) sdk.Coin {
 // if the amount is negative.
 func (k Keeper) SetTotalEscrowForDenom(ctx sdk.Context, coin sdk.Coin) {
 	if coin.Amount.IsNegative() {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("amount cannot be negative: %s", coin.Amount))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("amount cannot be negative: %s", coin.Amount))
 	}
 
 	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
diff --git a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/mbt_relay_test.go b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/mbt_relay_test.go
index dc67080e928..ee7d60f6f71 100644
--- a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/mbt_relay_test.go
+++ b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/mbt_relay_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ package keeper_test
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"strconv"
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ func AddressFromString(address string) string {
 
 func AddressFromTla(addr []string) string {
 	if len(addr) != 3 {
-		panic("failed to convert from TLA+ address: wrong number of address components")
+		panic(errors.New("failed to convert from TLA+ address: wrong number of address components"))
 	}
 	s := ""
 	if len(addr[0]) == 0 && len(addr[1]) == 0 { //nolint:gocritic
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ func AddressFromTla(addr []string) string {
 		// escrow address: ics20-1\x00port/channel
 		s = fmt.Sprintf("%s\x00%s/%s", types.Version, addr[0], addr[1])
 	} else {
-		panic("failed to convert from TLA+ address: neither simple nor escrow address")
+		panic(errors.New("failed to convert from TLA+ address: neither simple nor escrow address"))
 	}
 	return s
 }
@@ -333,7 +334,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestModelBasedRelay() {
 					var sender sdk.AccAddress
 					sender, err = sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(tc.packet.Data.Sender)
 					if err != nil {
-						panic("MBT failed to convert sender address")
+						panic(errors.New("MBT failed to convert sender address"))
 					}
 					registerDenomFn()
 					denomTrace := types.ParseDenomTrace(tc.packet.Data.Denom)
@@ -342,7 +343,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestModelBasedRelay() {
 					if err == nil {
 						amount, ok := sdkmath.NewIntFromString(tc.packet.Data.Amount)
 						if !ok {
-							panic("MBT failed to parse amount from string")
+							panic(errors.New("MBT failed to parse amount from string"))
 						}
 						msg := types.NewMsgTransfer(
 							tc.packet.SourcePort,
diff --git a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/migrations.go b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/migrations.go
index c0bb192ea49..ae13ab7c80e 100644
--- a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/migrations.go
+++ b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/migrations.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func (m Migrator) MigrateTraces(ctx sdk.Context) error {
 				// The new form of parsing will result in a token denomination change.
 				// A bank migration is required. A panic should occur to prevent the
 				// chain from using corrupted state.
-				panic(fmt.Sprintf("migration will result in corrupted state. Previous IBC token (%s) requires a bank migration. Expected denom trace (%s)", dt, newTrace))
+				panic(fmt.Errorf("migration will result in corrupted state. Previous IBC token (%s) requires a bank migration. Expected denom trace (%s)", dt, newTrace))
 			}
 
 			if !equalTraces(newTrace, dt) {
diff --git a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/relay.go b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/relay.go
index 91389d1921c..abe804d0718 100644
--- a/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/relay.go
+++ b/modules/apps/transfer/keeper/relay.go
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func (k Keeper) sendTransfer(
 			// NOTE: should not happen as the module account was
 			// retrieved on the step above and it has enough balace
 			// to burn.
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("cannot burn coins after a successful send to a module account: %v", err))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("cannot burn coins after a successful send to a module account: %v", err))
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ func (k Keeper) refundPacketToken(ctx sdk.Context, packet channeltypes.Packet, d
 	}
 
 	if err := k.bankKeeper.SendCoinsFromModuleToAccount(ctx, types.ModuleName, sender, sdk.NewCoins(token)); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("unable to send coins from module to account despite previously minting coins to module account: %v", err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("unable to send coins from module to account despite previously minting coins to module account: %v", err))
 	}
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/modules/apps/transfer/module.go b/modules/apps/transfer/module.go
index 90a70047a71..1e2852bdb5b 100644
--- a/modules/apps/transfer/module.go
+++ b/modules/apps/transfer/module.go
@@ -122,19 +122,19 @@ func (am AppModule) RegisterServices(cfg module.Configurator) {
 
 	m := keeper.NewMigrator(am.keeper)
 	if err := cfg.RegisterMigration(types.ModuleName, 1, m.MigrateTraces); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to migrate transfer app from version 1 to 2 (denom trace format migration): %v", err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("failed to migrate transfer app from version 1 to 2 (denom trace format migration): %v", err))
 	}
 
 	if err := cfg.RegisterMigration(types.ModuleName, 2, m.MigrateTotalEscrowForDenom); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to migrate transfer app from version 2 to 3 (total escrow entry migration): %v", err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("failed to migrate transfer app from version 2 to 3 (total escrow entry migration): %v", err))
 	}
 
 	if err := cfg.RegisterMigration(types.ModuleName, 3, m.MigrateParams); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to migrate transfer app version 3 to 4 (self-managed params migration): %v", err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("failed to migrate transfer app version 3 to 4 (self-managed params migration): %v", err))
 	}
 
 	if err := cfg.RegisterMigration(types.ModuleName, 4, m.MigrateDenomMetadata); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to migrate transfer app from version 4 to 5 (set denom metadata migration): %v", err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("failed to migrate transfer app from version 4 to 5 (set denom metadata migration): %v", err))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/apps/transfer/simulation/decoder.go b/modules/apps/transfer/simulation/decoder.go
index f371ea3da4d..bcd8d8c2c73 100644
--- a/modules/apps/transfer/simulation/decoder.go
+++ b/modules/apps/transfer/simulation/decoder.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func NewDecodeStore(cdc TransferUnmarshaler) func(kvA, kvB kv.Pair) string {
 			return fmt.Sprintf("DenomTrace A: %s\nDenomTrace B: %s", denomTraceA.IBCDenom(), denomTraceB.IBCDenom())
 
 		default:
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("invalid %s key prefix %X", types.ModuleName, kvA.Key[:1]))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid %s key prefix %X", types.ModuleName, kvA.Key[:1]))
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/modules/capability/keeper/keeper.go b/modules/capability/keeper/keeper.go
index 3283449b5aa..e5d853f0285 100644
--- a/modules/capability/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/modules/capability/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package keeper
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -70,14 +71,14 @@ func NewKeeper(cdc codec.BinaryCodec, storeKey, memKey storetypes.StoreKey) *Kee
 // already has a ScopedKeeper.
 func (k *Keeper) ScopeToModule(moduleName string) ScopedKeeper {
 	if k.sealed {
-		panic("cannot scope to module via a sealed capability keeper")
+		panic(errors.New("cannot scope to module via a sealed capability keeper"))
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(moduleName) == "" {
-		panic("cannot scope to an empty module name")
+		panic(errors.New("cannot scope to an empty module name"))
 	}
 
 	if _, ok := k.scopedModules[moduleName]; ok {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("cannot create multiple scoped keepers for the same module name: %s", moduleName))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("cannot create multiple scoped keepers for the same module name: %s", moduleName))
 	}
 
 	k.scopedModules[moduleName] = struct{}{}
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ func (k *Keeper) ScopeToModule(moduleName string) ScopedKeeper {
 // Seal may be called during app initialization for applications that do not wish to create scoped keepers dynamically.
 func (k *Keeper) Seal() {
 	if k.sealed {
-		panic("cannot initialize and seal an already sealed capability keeper")
+		panic(errors.New("cannot initialize and seal an already sealed capability keeper"))
 	}
 
 	k.sealed = true
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ func (k *Keeper) InitMemStore(ctx sdk.Context) {
 	memStoreType := memStore.GetStoreType()
 
 	if memStoreType != storetypes.StoreTypeMemory {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("invalid memory store type; got %s, expected: %s", memStoreType, storetypes.StoreTypeMemory))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid memory store type; got %s, expected: %s", memStoreType, storetypes.StoreTypeMemory))
 	}
 
 	// create context with no block gas meter to ensure we do not consume gas during local initialization logic.
@@ -156,11 +157,11 @@ func (k *Keeper) IsInitialized(ctx sdk.Context) bool {
 // It will panic if the provided index is 0, or if the index is already set.
 func (k Keeper) InitializeIndex(ctx sdk.Context, index uint64) error {
 	if index == 0 {
-		panic("SetIndex requires index > 0")
+		panic(errors.New("SetIndex requires index > 0"))
 	}
 	latest := k.GetLatestIndex(ctx)
 	if latest > 0 {
-		panic("SetIndex requires index to not be set")
+		panic(errors.New("SetIndex requires index to not be set"))
 	}
 
 	// set the global index to the passed index
@@ -390,7 +391,7 @@ func (sk ScopedKeeper) GetCapability(ctx sdk.Context, name string) (*types.Capab
 
 	cap := sk.capMap[index]
 	if cap == nil {
-		panic("capability found in memstore is missing from map")
+		panic(errors.New("capability found in memstore is missing from map"))
 	}
 
 	return cap, true
diff --git a/modules/capability/simulation/decoder.go b/modules/capability/simulation/decoder.go
index c064f2d6604..651cdb542fe 100644
--- a/modules/capability/simulation/decoder.go
+++ b/modules/capability/simulation/decoder.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func NewDecodeStore(cdc codec.Codec) func(kvA, kvB kv.Pair) string {
 			return fmt.Sprintf("CapabilityOwners A: %v\nCapabilityOwners B: %v\n", capOwnersA, capOwnersB)
 
 		default:
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("invalid %s key prefix %X (%s)", types.ModuleName, kvA.Key, kvA.Key))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid %s key prefix %X (%s)", types.ModuleName, kvA.Key, kvA.Key))
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/modules/core/02-client/genesis.go b/modules/core/02-client/genesis.go
index 37fe651cb5d..17b6e663364 100644
--- a/modules/core/02-client/genesis.go
+++ b/modules/core/02-client/genesis.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package client
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
@@ -14,7 +15,7 @@ import (
 // state.
 func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, k keeper.Keeper, gs types.GenesisState) {
 	if err := gs.Params.Validate(); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("invalid ibc client genesis state parameters: %v", err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid ibc client genesis state parameters: %v", err))
 	}
 	k.SetParams(ctx, gs.Params)
 
@@ -27,11 +28,11 @@ func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, k keeper.Keeper, gs types.GenesisState) {
 	for _, client := range gs.Clients {
 		cs, ok := client.ClientState.GetCachedValue().(exported.ClientState)
 		if !ok {
-			panic("invalid client state")
+			panic(errors.New("invalid client state"))
 		}
 
 		if !gs.Params.IsAllowedClient(cs.ClientType()) {
-			panic(fmt.Sprintf("client state type %s is not registered on the allowlist", cs.ClientType()))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("client state type %s is not registered on the allowlist", cs.ClientType()))
 		}
 
 		k.SetClientState(ctx, client.ClientId, cs)
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, k keeper.Keeper, gs types.GenesisState) {
 		for _, consState := range cs.ConsensusStates {
 			consensusState, ok := consState.ConsensusState.GetCachedValue().(exported.ConsensusState)
 			if !ok {
-				panic(fmt.Sprintf("invalid consensus state with client ID %s at height %s", cs.ClientId, consState.Height))
+				panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid consensus state with client ID %s at height %s", cs.ClientId, consState.Height))
 			}
 
 			k.SetClientConsensusState(ctx, cs.ClientId, consState.Height, consensusState)
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, k keeper.Keeper, gs types.GenesisState) {
 	// if the localhost already exists in state (included in the genesis file),
 	// it must be overwritten to ensure its stored height equals the context block height
 	if err := k.CreateLocalhostClient(ctx); err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to initialise localhost client: %s", err.Error()))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("failed to initialise localhost client: %s", err.Error()))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/core/02-client/keeper/keeper.go b/modules/core/02-client/keeper/keeper.go
index 8efb679e18e..887587ce9c9 100644
--- a/modules/core/02-client/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/modules/core/02-client/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package keeper
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"reflect"
 	"strings"
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetNextClientSequence(ctx sdk.Context) uint64 {
 	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
 	bz := store.Get([]byte(types.KeyNextClientSequence))
 	if len(bz) == 0 {
-		panic("next client sequence is nil")
+		panic(errors.New("next client sequence is nil"))
 	}
 
 	return sdk.BigEndianToUint64(bz)
@@ -425,7 +426,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetParams(ctx sdk.Context) types.Params {
 	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
 	bz := store.Get([]byte(types.ParamsKey))
 	if bz == nil { // only panic on unset params and not on empty params
-		panic("client params are not set in store")
+		panic(errors.New("client params are not set in store"))
 	}
 
 	var params types.Params
diff --git a/modules/core/02-client/migrations/v7/solomachine.go b/modules/core/02-client/migrations/v7/solomachine.go
index 4b9b1a82fa6..7a8799e6129 100644
--- a/modules/core/02-client/migrations/v7/solomachine.go
+++ b/modules/core/02-client/migrations/v7/solomachine.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package v7
 
 import (
+	"errors"
+
 	storetypes "cosmossdk.io/store/types"
 
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
@@ -52,75 +54,75 @@ func (cs ConsensusState) UnpackInterfaces(unpacker codectypes.AnyUnpacker) error
 
 // ClientType panics!
 func (ClientState) ClientType() string {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // GetLatestHeight panics!
 func (ClientState) GetLatestHeight() exported.Height {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // Status panics!
 func (ClientState) Status(_ sdk.Context, _ storetypes.KVStore, _ codec.BinaryCodec) exported.Status {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // Validate panics!
 func (ClientState) Validate() error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // ZeroCustomFields panics!
 func (ClientState) ZeroCustomFields() exported.ClientState {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // Initialize panics!
 func (ClientState) Initialize(_ sdk.Context, _ codec.BinaryCodec, _ storetypes.KVStore, _ exported.ConsensusState) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // ExportMetadata panics!
 func (ClientState) ExportMetadata(_ storetypes.KVStore) []exported.GenesisMetadata {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // CheckForMisbehaviour panics!
 func (ClientState) CheckForMisbehaviour(_ sdk.Context, _ codec.BinaryCodec, _ storetypes.KVStore, _ exported.ClientMessage) bool {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // UpdateStateOnMisbehaviour panics!
 func (*ClientState) UpdateStateOnMisbehaviour(
 	_ sdk.Context, _ codec.BinaryCodec, _ storetypes.KVStore, _ exported.ClientMessage,
 ) {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyClientMessage panics!
 func (*ClientState) VerifyClientMessage(
 	_ sdk.Context, _ codec.BinaryCodec, _ storetypes.KVStore, _ exported.ClientMessage,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // UpdateState panis!
 func (*ClientState) UpdateState(_ sdk.Context, _ codec.BinaryCodec, _ storetypes.KVStore, _ exported.ClientMessage) []exported.Height {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // CheckHeaderAndUpdateState panics!
 func (*ClientState) CheckHeaderAndUpdateState(
 	_ sdk.Context, _ codec.BinaryCodec, _ storetypes.KVStore, _ exported.ClientMessage,
 ) (exported.ClientState, exported.ConsensusState, error) {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // CheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState panics!
 func (ClientState) CheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState(
 	_ sdk.Context, _ codec.BinaryCodec, _ storetypes.KVStore, _ exported.ClientMessage,
 ) (exported.ClientState, error) {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // CheckSubstituteAndUpdateState panics!
@@ -128,7 +130,7 @@ func (ClientState) CheckSubstituteAndUpdateState(
 	ctx sdk.Context, _ codec.BinaryCodec, _, _ storetypes.KVStore,
 	_ exported.ClientState,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyUpgradeAndUpdateState panics!
@@ -136,7 +138,7 @@ func (ClientState) VerifyUpgradeAndUpdateState(
 	_ sdk.Context, _ codec.BinaryCodec, _ storetypes.KVStore,
 	_ exported.ClientState, _ exported.ConsensusState, _, _ []byte,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyClientState panics!
@@ -144,7 +146,7 @@ func (ClientState) VerifyClientState(
 	store storetypes.KVStore, cdc codec.BinaryCodec,
 	_ exported.Height, _ exported.Prefix, _ string, _ []byte, clientState exported.ClientState,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyClientConsensusState panics!
@@ -153,7 +155,7 @@ func (ClientState) VerifyClientConsensusState(
 	exported.Height, string, exported.Height, exported.Prefix,
 	[]byte, exported.ConsensusState,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyConnectionState panics!
@@ -161,7 +163,7 @@ func (ClientState) VerifyConnectionState(
 	storetypes.KVStore, codec.BinaryCodec, exported.Height,
 	exported.Prefix, []byte, string, exported.ConnectionI,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyChannelState panics!
@@ -169,7 +171,7 @@ func (ClientState) VerifyChannelState(
 	storetypes.KVStore, codec.BinaryCodec, exported.Height, exported.Prefix,
 	[]byte, string, string, exported.ChannelI,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyPacketCommitment panics!
@@ -178,7 +180,7 @@ func (ClientState) VerifyPacketCommitment(
 	uint64, uint64, exported.Prefix, []byte,
 	string, string, uint64, []byte,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyPacketAcknowledgement panics!
@@ -187,7 +189,7 @@ func (ClientState) VerifyPacketAcknowledgement(
 	uint64, uint64, exported.Prefix, []byte,
 	string, string, uint64, []byte,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyPacketReceiptAbsence panics!
@@ -196,7 +198,7 @@ func (ClientState) VerifyPacketReceiptAbsence(
 	uint64, uint64, exported.Prefix, []byte,
 	string, string, uint64,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyNextSequenceRecv panics!
@@ -205,14 +207,14 @@ func (ClientState) VerifyNextSequenceRecv(
 	uint64, uint64, exported.Prefix, []byte,
 	string, string, uint64,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // GetTimestampAtHeight panics!
 func (ClientState) GetTimestampAtHeight(
 	sdk.Context, storetypes.KVStore, codec.BinaryCodec, exported.Height,
 ) (uint64, error) {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyMembership panics!
@@ -227,7 +229,7 @@ func (*ClientState) VerifyMembership(
 	path exported.Path,
 	value []byte,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // VerifyNonMembership panics!
@@ -241,20 +243,20 @@ func (*ClientState) VerifyNonMembership(
 	proof []byte,
 	path exported.Path,
 ) error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // ClientType panics!
 func (ConsensusState) ClientType() string {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // GetTimestamp panics!
 func (ConsensusState) GetTimestamp() uint64 {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
 
 // ValidateBasic panics!
 func (ConsensusState) ValidateBasic() error {
-	panic("legacy solo machine is deprecated!")
+	panic(errors.New("legacy solo machine is deprecated"))
 }
diff --git a/modules/core/02-client/types/height.go b/modules/core/02-client/types/height.go
index 104f6020fe1..ca75a1e7ff1 100644
--- a/modules/core/02-client/types/height.go
+++ b/modules/core/02-client/types/height.go
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func (h Height) GetRevisionHeight() uint64 {
 func (h Height) Compare(other exported.Height) int64 {
 	height, ok := other.(Height)
 	if !ok {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("cannot compare against invalid height type: %T. expected height type: %T", other, h))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("cannot compare against invalid height type: %T. expected height type: %T", other, h))
 	}
 	var a, b big.Int
 	if h.RevisionNumber != height.RevisionNumber {
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ func ParseChainID(chainID string) uint64 {
 	revision, err := strconv.ParseUint(splitStr[len(splitStr)-1], 10, 64)
 	// sanity check: error should always be nil since regex only allows numbers in last element
 	if err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("regex allowed non-number value as last split element for chainID: %s", chainID))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("regex allowed non-number value as last split element for chainID: %s", chainID))
 	}
 	return revision
 }
diff --git a/modules/core/03-connection/keeper/keeper.go b/modules/core/03-connection/keeper/keeper.go
index e56de3558ef..d6621a52473 100644
--- a/modules/core/03-connection/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/modules/core/03-connection/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package keeper
 
 import (
+	"errors"
+
 	errorsmod "cosmossdk.io/errors"
 	"cosmossdk.io/log"
 	storetypes "cosmossdk.io/store/types"
@@ -136,7 +138,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetNextConnectionSequence(ctx sdk.Context) uint64 {
 	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
 	bz := store.Get([]byte(types.KeyNextConnectionSequence))
 	if len(bz) == 0 {
-		panic("next connection sequence is nil")
+		panic(errors.New("next connection sequence is nil"))
 	}
 
 	return sdk.BigEndianToUint64(bz)
@@ -228,7 +230,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetParams(ctx sdk.Context) types.Params {
 	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
 	bz := store.Get([]byte(types.ParamsKey))
 	if bz == nil { // only panic on unset params and not on empty params
-		panic("connection params are not set in store")
+		panic(errors.New("connection params are not set in store"))
 	}
 
 	var params types.Params
diff --git a/modules/core/04-channel/keeper/handshake.go b/modules/core/04-channel/keeper/handshake.go
index 6e48f7048f3..30420a67270 100644
--- a/modules/core/04-channel/keeper/handshake.go
+++ b/modules/core/04-channel/keeper/handshake.go
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ func (k Keeper) WriteOpenAckChannel(
 ) {
 	channel, found := k.GetChannel(ctx, portID, channelID)
 	if !found {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("could not find existing channel when updating channel state in successful ChanOpenAck step, channelID: %s, portID: %s", channelID, portID))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("could not find existing channel when updating channel state in successful ChanOpenAck step, channelID: %s, portID: %s", channelID, portID))
 	}
 
 	channel.State = types.OPEN
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ func (k Keeper) WriteOpenConfirmChannel(
 ) {
 	channel, found := k.GetChannel(ctx, portID, channelID)
 	if !found {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("could not find existing channel when updating channel state in successful ChanOpenConfirm step, channelID: %s, portID: %s", channelID, portID))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("could not find existing channel when updating channel state in successful ChanOpenConfirm step, channelID: %s, portID: %s", channelID, portID))
 	}
 
 	channel.State = types.OPEN
diff --git a/modules/core/04-channel/keeper/keeper.go b/modules/core/04-channel/keeper/keeper.go
index 1373f8ce73c..f285839799a 100644
--- a/modules/core/04-channel/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/modules/core/04-channel/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package keeper
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetNextChannelSequence(ctx sdk.Context) uint64 {
 	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
 	bz := store.Get([]byte(types.KeyNextChannelSequence))
 	if len(bz) == 0 {
-		panic("next channel sequence is nil")
+		panic(errors.New("next channel sequence is nil"))
 	}
 
 	return sdk.BigEndianToUint64(bz)
diff --git a/modules/core/05-port/keeper/keeper.go b/modules/core/05-port/keeper/keeper.go
index 37e357e4023..68e89ecac69 100644
--- a/modules/core/05-port/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/modules/core/05-port/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func (k *Keeper) BindPort(ctx sdk.Context, portID string) *capabilitytypes.Capab
 	}
 
 	if k.IsBound(ctx, portID) {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("port %s is already bound", portID))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("port %s is already bound", portID))
 	}
 
 	key, err := k.scopedKeeper.NewCapability(ctx, host.PortPath(portID))
diff --git a/modules/core/05-port/types/router.go b/modules/core/05-port/types/router.go
index 6bfba9076ab..b66999644f5 100644
--- a/modules/core/05-port/types/router.go
+++ b/modules/core/05-port/types/router.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package types
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ func NewRouter() *Router {
 // Seal will panic if called more than once.
 func (rtr *Router) Seal() {
 	if rtr.sealed {
-		panic("router already sealed")
+		panic(errors.New("router already sealed"))
 	}
 	rtr.sealed = true
 }
@@ -37,13 +38,13 @@ func (rtr Router) Sealed() bool {
 // so AddRoute calls can be linked. It will panic if the Router is sealed.
 func (rtr *Router) AddRoute(module string, cbs IBCModule) *Router {
 	if rtr.sealed {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("router sealed; cannot register %s route callbacks", module))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("router sealed; cannot register %s route callbacks", module))
 	}
 	if !sdk.IsAlphaNumeric(module) {
-		panic("route expressions can only contain alphanumeric characters")
+		panic(errors.New("route expressions can only contain alphanumeric characters"))
 	}
 	if rtr.HasRoute(module) {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("route %s has already been registered", module))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("route %s has already been registered", module))
 	}
 
 	rtr.routes[module] = cbs
diff --git a/modules/core/05-port/types/utils.go b/modules/core/05-port/types/utils.go
index a12f2ef7f52..f3c51d3bdf3 100644
--- a/modules/core/05-port/types/utils.go
+++ b/modules/core/05-port/types/utils.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import "fmt"
 // only allow one module to be bound to a port at any given time
 func GetModuleOwner(modules []string) string {
 	if len(modules) != 2 {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("capability should only be owned by port or channel owner and ibc module, multiple owners currently not supported, owners: %v", modules))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("capability should only be owned by port or channel owner and ibc module, multiple owners currently not supported, owners: %v", modules))
 	}
 
 	if modules[0] == "ibc" {
diff --git a/modules/core/keeper/keeper.go b/modules/core/keeper/keeper.go
index cebfb159f54..1b9bcb14de8 100644
--- a/modules/core/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/modules/core/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 package keeper
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
+	"errors"
 	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -55,18 +55,18 @@ func NewKeeper(
 
 	// panic if any of the keepers passed in is empty
 	if isEmpty(stakingKeeper) {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("cannot initialize IBC keeper: empty staking keeper"))
+		panic(errors.New("cannot initialize IBC keeper: empty staking keeper"))
 	}
 	if isEmpty(upgradeKeeper) {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("cannot initialize IBC keeper: empty upgrade keeper"))
+		panic(errors.New("cannot initialize IBC keeper: empty upgrade keeper"))
 	}
 
 	if reflect.DeepEqual(capabilitykeeper.ScopedKeeper{}, scopedKeeper) {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("cannot initialize IBC keeper: empty scoped keeper"))
+		panic(errors.New("cannot initialize IBC keeper: empty scoped keeper"))
 	}
 
 	if strings.TrimSpace(authority) == "" {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("authority must be non-empty"))
+		panic(errors.New("authority must be non-empty"))
 	}
 
 	clientKeeper := clientkeeper.NewKeeper(cdc, key, paramSpace, stakingKeeper, upgradeKeeper)
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func (k Keeper) Codec() codec.BinaryCodec {
 // there is an existing router that's already sealed.
 func (k *Keeper) SetRouter(rtr *porttypes.Router) {
 	if k.Router != nil && k.Router.Sealed() {
-		panic("cannot reset a sealed router")
+		panic(errors.New("cannot reset a sealed router"))
 	}
 
 	k.PortKeeper.Router = rtr
diff --git a/modules/core/module.go b/modules/core/module.go
index 7878e4b8fed..27edd09a143 100644
--- a/modules/core/module.go
+++ b/modules/core/module.go
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ func (am AppModule) InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, cdc codec.JSONCodec, bz json.Ra
 	var gs types.GenesisState
 	err := cdc.UnmarshalJSON(bz, &gs)
 	if err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to unmarshal %s genesis state: %s", exported.ModuleName, err))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("failed to unmarshal %s genesis state: %s", exported.ModuleName, err))
 	}
 	InitGenesis(ctx, *am.keeper, &gs)
 }
diff --git a/modules/core/simulation/decoder.go b/modules/core/simulation/decoder.go
index 4f707df0836..0f9a0c7f346 100644
--- a/modules/core/simulation/decoder.go
+++ b/modules/core/simulation/decoder.go
@@ -28,6 +28,6 @@ func NewDecodeStore(k keeper.Keeper) func(kvA, kvB kv.Pair) string {
 			return res
 		}
 
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("invalid %s key prefix: %s", ibcexported.ModuleName, string(kvA.Key)))
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid %s key prefix: %s", ibcexported.ModuleName, string(kvA.Key)))
 	}
 }
diff --git a/modules/light-clients/06-solomachine/client_state.go b/modules/light-clients/06-solomachine/client_state.go
index 34e439607cd..2f5ec308b3e 100644
--- a/modules/light-clients/06-solomachine/client_state.go
+++ b/modules/light-clients/06-solomachine/client_state.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package solomachine
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"reflect"
 
 	errorsmod "cosmossdk.io/errors"
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ func (cs ClientState) Validate() error {
 
 // ZeroCustomFields is not implemented for solo machine
 func (ClientState) ZeroCustomFields() exported.ClientState {
-	panic("ZeroCustomFields is not implemented as the solo machine implementation does not support upgrades.")
+	panic(errors.New("ZeroCustomFields is not implemented as the solo machine implementation does not support upgrades"))
 }
 
 // Initialize checks that the initial consensus state is equal to the latest consensus state of the initial client and
diff --git a/testing/simapp/export.go b/testing/simapp/export.go
index 4613465dc09..26438874ac8 100644
--- a/testing/simapp/export.go
+++ b/testing/simapp/export.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package simapp
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"log"
 
 	storetypes "cosmossdk.io/store/types"
@@ -209,7 +210,7 @@ func (app *SimApp) prepForZeroHeightGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, jailAllowedAddrs []
 		addr := sdk.ValAddress(stakingtypes.AddressFromValidatorsKey(iter.Key()))
 		validator, err := app.StakingKeeper.GetValidator(ctx, addr)
 		if err != nil {
-			panic("expected validator, not found")
+			panic(errors.New("expected validator, not found"))
 		}
 
 		validator.UnbondingHeight = 0
@@ -219,7 +220,7 @@ func (app *SimApp) prepForZeroHeightGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, jailAllowedAddrs []
 
 		err = app.StakingKeeper.SetValidator(ctx, validator)
 		if err != nil {
-			panic("couldn't set validator")
+			panic(errors.New("couldn't set validator"))
 		}
 		counter++
 	}